Williams Tips Alonso to Fight for Title

Spaniard Fernando Alonso is, alongside Michael Schumacher and the Williams drivers, the favourite to win this year's drivers' title, according to team boss Frank Williams.

Williams, whose drivers Juan Pablo Montoya and Ralf Schumacher aim to dethrone Ferrari's six-time World Champion Michael Schumacher, says he expects Renault to give them problems this season.

"Leaving aside our drivers, I would say Michael [is the favourite] and maybe Alonso - the Renault is a very impressive car," Williams told the BBC. "We've got a good car, but I suspect Ferrari will be the team to beat. And I think that Renault will cause a few major problems."

Renault finished in fourth position in last year's championship, with Alonso scoring his maiden victory to become the youngest ever Grand Prix winner. The French squad finished behind the McLaren team, who have been unimpressive during pre-season testing with their new MP4-19.

Williams' technical director Patrick Head said, however, that the Woking-based team should not be written off.

"It's difficult to say where McLaren are at the moment," Head said. "Some of their long runs don't look that special. We've heard that there are maybe some engine bugs still around and maybe they have been running with [the power] turned down.

"But I've learned over many years never to underestimate a team like McLaren."