Alonso confident for Monaco

Renault's world championship leader Fernando Alonso will no doubt be hoping to extend his advantage at the top of the drivers' standings this weekend and is in a confident frame of mind for the Monaco Grand Prix. The Spaniard, who is 18 points clear of nearest rival Jarno Trulli, has taken three wins so far this season and has been on the podium every race.

Fernando Alonso.

Photo by xpb.cc.

Alonso missed out on the win at his home race in Spain but victory on the streets of Monte Carlo would be just as special. "I hope to win the race here because it is a very special race, a very special weekend for the drivers and winning in Monte Carlo is definitely something more than winning in another place," he told reporters in Monaco.

While teammate Giancarlo Fisichella has suffered a number of retirements, Alonso has enjoyed a trouble free season so far. "I arrive with good confidence," he said. "The car is performing well and we have no problems with the car or the engine or the tyres, so far."

"We have finished races with no mechanical problems and that should be the same thing again this year. Usually we have a good car here, competitive again, and historically Renault has always been competitive here."

Kimi Raikkonen denied Alonso his home win, as the Finn took McLaren's first victory of 2005 at Barcelona. Alonso admitted that the Woking squad is currently perhaps a little stronger than Renault but said that in Monaco the best car does not necessarily win.

"I think at the moment McLaren are a little bit in front of us in terms of competitiveness, but here is a very special track and not always a good car wins in Monaco," he remarked.

"Last year we saw Ferrari dominated the whole championship but here in Monaco they were not quick enough to win the race. We know the McLaren is quick but here is always very special."

Raikkonen, meanwhile, acknowledged that the speed of the McLaren at Barcelona does not necessarily guarantee the best performance at Monaco. "I think there is so much difference between those places," said the Finn. "You need very good traction (here)."

"I think the Renault has very good traction, they're usually very strong on this kind of circuit, as they were last year, but I think that as long as we get everything working we should be okay and we should be able to challenge for victory."