Webber tips Alonso for second title

Renault's R26 has proved itself to be quick over both single laps and long-distance runs in testing and Webber believes that all the indications are there to suggest the French car manufacturer will start 2006 in the same dominant way they ended 2005.

"I think Fernando is big. I think Alonso will come out of the box," Webber said in an interview with Australian newspaper the Herald Sun.

"I always thought last year would be one of the easiest championships he would have. Looking at what I saw this past week, he might have an even easier one. He's not lacking in confidence at the moment. He drove superbly last year."

Webber added that the form of Renault will likely also result in Alonso's teammate Giancarlo Fisichella enjoying better results that he did last year.

"I think he will have his best season, partly because Renault will be so dominant and will score a lot of one-twos in the early part of the year," he said.

Speaking about his own chances with Williams, Webber said he was hopeful they could slot in behind the top teams but admitted that there was still a lot of work for them to do.

"We can be a force, but we have a tough phase coming up," he said. "We are going all right but we've got a bit to do."