Alonso sure he can handle team switch

Fernando Alonso on Thursday brushed off suggestions his latest switch to a new Formula One team could once again end in disaster.

At the end of 2006, the Spaniard switched to join McLaren, but despite a multi-year contract, he returned after just one season to Renault, having fallen out spectacularly with his colleagues.

But although his pairing alongside Lewis Hamilton was so troubled in 2007, Alonso sounded confident when asked how he expects to get along with Felipe Massa at Ferrari.

Referring to 2007, he said: "It will not happen again. I am more prepared than I was two years ago. And Ferrari is more important than any driver in that car.

"We arrive in a team that is a pleasure and we are proud to drive that car. It doesn't matter if you are quicker or slower than your teammate. The people want to see a Ferrari car in front.

"Felipe is a great driver and also has a very good personality. It will be fine, we will both work for the team to score points for the team," Alonso added.

Alonso and Massa once had a very public row after an on-track clash while waiting to go up to the podium, but the 28-year-old believes he will get on well with the Brazilian as teammates.

"We are both Latin, Brazilian and Spanish!" smiled Alonso.