Monaco Suits Renault, Says Alonso

Alonso showed his hand early in the Monaco Grand Prix weekend when he went fastest in Thursday practice and he will come back fresh from Friday's rest day determined to stay on top of the pile.

Alonso said: "Historically Renault has always been competitive at Monaco and we arrive again with both Renaults in the top. It is good for us and quite bad for the other teams.

"Our characteristics for the car, with good traction and being easy to drive, it should be good enough for Monaco and this is what we have seen so far in the practice sessions.

"Traction has been always a strong point for Renault, it is quite easy to drive especially this year. You need confidence in the car you are driving, and we have that.

"The tyres have always been good here and this year it seems again they are extremely competitive so we are very happy. All these factors make it very special for us at Monaco. It will be very interesting."

Alonso admitted that the Saturday and Sunday qualifying sessions will be an important factor in deciding the race winner but he insisted he will not be disappointed if he starts from anywhere inside the top five.

"Qualifying is very, very important and will decide I think 50 to 70 percent of the race outcome, but at the same time to win the race, to be in the top five is enough if you are quick in the race and have good strategy.

"We know we have to prepare very well the car for one timed lap and to concentrate on the car's set-up but people who prepare for qualifying to be on pole with a very light car will not be the on right strategy."

Alonso's winning run came to an end at the last race in Spain, when McLaren driver Kimi Raikkonen secured his first win of the season, but the Spaniard believes Renault have closed the gap on their rivals.

He admitted McLaren were ahead in the last two races, where Raikkonen secured both pole positions and only missed out on a probably victory in San Marino because of a car failure.

But he said: "McLaren were in front of us with the car. They made a good step forward and we were not able to fight with Kimi. Now we have some new aero pieces here and I think more teams will be more equal for this race onwards."