Villeneuve: McLaren a challenge for Alonso
Canadian Jacques Villeneuve believes Fernando Alonso could face a tough challenge when he switches to McLaren next season
Alonso will drive for the British squad in 2007, when his current contract with Renault expires. With the French squad, the Spanish driver has won nine races on his way to becoming Formula One's youngest champion.
Villeneuve, who won the title in 1997 with Williams before struggling following his switch to BAR, believes Alonso face a challenge when he has to acclimatise to a new team.
"As long as he has got the right people around him then he is strong mentally, and he has got the right people around him so he can keep racing strongly," said Villeneuve ahead of the Australian Grand Prix.
"What can have an effect is if the people in the team change, if suddenly you have a bad car or you change team. So you are not in your coccoon any more - and that will happen to him the next year."
Alonso has been with Renault since he was a test driver in 2002.
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