Q & A with Fernando Alonso

Fernando Alonso: No, I don't think so. I think Michael will concentrate on the race and on the championship, and he does not have to take the decision. He made already the decision whenever, one month ago or one week ago to stay or to go. And he will say on Sunday afternoon, I think.

That will not change too much his motivation or performance in the weekend, or the rest of the year. It is the same for Ferrari. We all want to win; Renault want to win, and Ferrari want to win - Michael and me. It will not change anything.

Q. Would you like to race against him next year?

FA: I don't know. I think it is always good to race with great champions and with people with a lot of wins, pole positions, fastest laps and all the records Michael had. So it is always good to beat him. It is better than the other ones. But if he goes then I think there are still another 21 drivers, fantastic drivers, to challenge next year and to beat them. I think it is not necessary to miss anyone.

Q. What do you think about this weekend after last week's test?

FA: I am quite optimistic. I think the test went very well for us. We tested a few parts of the car, a new engine for this race, some tyres. And all of them were with some positive results, so we should be optimistic. But we cannot forget that this race is quite good for Ferrari, for the characteristics of his car, and I think Monza is the home Grand Prix for Ferrari and it is difficult always to beat them here. But anyway, I think we can do a good race anyway and try to make things difficult for them.

Q. There are some suggestions that the new asphalt laid down may hurt the Michelin performance. Is that right from what you have experienced?

FA: I don't think so. I was surprised by these comments. We all tested last week with new asphalt from Turn Four to Turn Eight, and there was no difference at all in the level of grip compared to last year. There are some less bumps than the year before, so I think the new asphalt is not a big difference for anyone.

Q. Fernando, do you see anyone else ever achieving the same number of Grand Prix wins as Michael has done so far?

FA: I don't think so. You need to be extremely lucky with the right team always. We saw last year Michael is still a fantastic driver as before, as he is now, and last year he finished seventh or eighth in all the Grands Prix. When you are in the wrong car in the wrong moment you cannot do anything and to be so many years like he was in the best car, it is difficult for that to be any one of us from now on. I think it will be difficult to improve our records.

Q. If Michael does decide to stop, do you think it will change anything in F1?

FA: Let's see. We need to wait and see what it changes. For sure it changes something because after ten years of dominance in the F1 championship, for sure it will change something. We don't know if it will change for better or for worse, and if it will be okay or not. We need to wait another two or three years after Michael stops and see what is the reaction of F1.

Q. You tried the new Michelins at the Monza test last week. Are you happy with what you tried, or are you waiting for something new?

FA: We are happy. We tested some new tyres and they are okay, they are better and an improvement. It is okay, but I think we need more. Next week again in Jerez and Silverstone there are another two test sessions before China, there are more things coming for the last three Grands Prix and I am sure Michelin will bring something more.

Q. What about the new engine?

FA: It was okay. The new engine, it has a few horsepower more. The difference in a timed lap will be difficult to say, maybe one tenth. But it is enough to keep improving the car and to keep developing the car and it will never stop. There were no mechanical problems in all the tests so we are very happy with the improvements so far.

Q. There was an important announcement from Renault yesterday about Flavio and Heikki. What is your reaction?

FA: Well, there is nothing to say. I am happy because I know Heikki from the last two years working with him. He is a very nice person and I am happy he has the opportunity to drive a competitive car, and I wish the best things for him. And for Flavio as well. We will see how it goes next year.

Q. Do you believe a rookie driver can come in and fight for the world title straight away?

FA: It normally takes something, because it is impossible to have all the experience and the capacity in the right moment to do everything okay. But he has the experience and if the car is competitive, and is better than the other cars, then for sure he will be one contender.

Q. When will you find out who you will be driving alongside next year?

FA: I don't know.

Q. Do you care?

FA: Not really. Well, I prefer to know quite soon because it is always better to have a relationship and to know your teammate, to know him personally and work better all winter in preparing the car. It is always good, and better than having a teammate at the last moment. Maybe the relationship then is different, but for sure McLaren will decide soon and we will find out.

Q. Ron has said he may not decide until Christmas. That is not soon?

FA: No, it is not too late also. It is okay.

Q. What do you think about Lewis Hamilton?

FA: I think we all surprised with some races of his, like in Turkey. I think Hamilton will be one of the names that is possible to race next year. I think if he is not racing next year then he will be a test driver, so for sure he will be with McLaren.

Q. Fernando, giving the intensity of the competition and the scrutiny that you boys get around the races. How long do you see yourself going on for? Do you think your career will be as long as Michael's?

FA: No.