Alonso not thinking of podium finishes

Fernando Alonso has ruled out fighting for podium places this season following his Renault team`s struggles at the start of the season.

The double world champion endured a disappointing Bahrain Grand Prix on Sunday, qualifying and finishing in tenth position as the French squad failed to match their mail rivals` pace.

The Spaniard has finished in eighth in the previous race in Malaysia.

The team are pinning their hopes for the season on several updates that will be introduced in time for the Spanish Grand Prix, where the former world champions reckon they could take a significant step forward.

Alonso says their main goal right now is to be in a position to fight behind the top three teams.

“Winning or getting podiums is impossible,” Alonso told Spanish reporters in Bahrain. “There`s no team in history who has gained a second. But we are not looking for that now.

“We are trying to reach the level of Toyota, for example. To be able to get into Q3 and then in the race to be able to be behind the top three, and when someone fails, to be there. Trulli finished fourth in Malaysia and sixth here, so we are looking to do that.

“We are looking for those three or four tenths.”

Alonso admitted his worry is not only that Renault are so far behind BMW, Ferrari and McLaren, but that there are several other teams who are faster than the French outfit right now.

“We are pinning our hopes on the improvements for Barcelona. Hopefully we`ll take that small step forwards,” the Spaniard added.

“And if not, then we`ll have to worry, because for example Fisichella set a best lap than me in the race, and he is driving a Force India.

“So we have to analyse where we are, because it`s not only BMW, McLaren and Ferrari. Now there`s Toyota, Williams, Red Bull, Honda and they are ahead of us.

“And to be the eighth team out of eleven is being way too far.”

7.4.2008   ▪ Formula One    ▪ Alonso    ▪ www.autosport.com