Belgian Grand Prix: Fernando Alonso pins hopes on rain

Although Alonso holds a 40-point advantage in the Formula 1 title standings, he reckons the fact that Ferrari has not had the quickest car all season means that a downpour at Spa-Francorchamps could offer him more opportunity for a big points haul.

"When your car is competitive and you are good in that weekend, maybe a dry race is better because it is more consistent," he said during a media event with Shell on Thursday.

"If you are quick you are 99 per cent [likely to be] on the podium, which would be a good result already for us.

"If you are not competitive, I am sure the wet conditions are a help because you can do more, like choose the right tyre in the right moment.

"At the moment, I don't know [which would be best], but looking at this year's championships, maybe a wet race is better for us."

He added: "At the same time, wet is more risk. There is aquaplanning, white lines, kerbs, so the wet race can help you a lot and take a lot as well.

"I think with the championship position, you must finish races, you must always score points, and a wet race means more risk, but it is more risk for everybody."

Alonso said that he was raring to go after the summer break - and felt that the time off was vital for everyone ahead of the punishing end to the campaign.

"It was nice time to switch off from F1 a little bit, for 10-15 days, recharge the batteries and now arrive 100 per cent again with a lot of motivation, a lot of desire to be in the car," he said.

"I have been looking forward to tomorrow for many days already. There are seven races out of Europe, a lot of time changes, a lot of travelling now coming, so you need to be 100 per cent because it will be a long final part of the season."