Happy Alonso hoping to fight on top

Alonso is back with the French squad after just one season with McLaren, the British team he left two years ahead of the end of his contract after a troubled season.

"I am happy to be here again," said Alonso, who won his two titles with Renault in 2005 and 2006. "It was great (to be back in a Renault).

"I think for me it was very easy because I knew the team already and it was very easy to work with the test team and first day I was in the factory, doing the seat fitting, it was like time had not moved on.

"It was like the end of 2006, I am very happy and comfortable with everybody in the team, and am very happy," added Alonso, who made his debut with the new R28 last week at Valencia.

Renault were a distant fourth fastest team last year, failing to fight for victories and scoring just one podium finish.

Although Alonso remains cautious about his chances for 2008, the two-time champion is hoping the R28 will help Renault return to the top of the field.

"We will see," he added. "At the moment it is very open championship because nobody knows. Everyone is talking about Ferrari and McLaren, which is good for us.

"As long as they talk about them we can work a bit more relaxed and we did some tests with the new car and in February is time to find performance.

"Now we concentrate on seeing that there is nothing wrong with the design or parts of the car. The performance will come soon and hopefully it will be enough to fight the top teams."