Aiming for the podium - Alonso

The youngest world champion in Formula One history, Fernando Alonso, talks about last week’s win and the race ahead. Alonso and the Mild Seven Renault F1 Team had a good weekend in Bahrain and the Spaniard hopes to climb on the podium again in Malaysia.

Interview with Fernando Alonso

You began the season with a win – that’s a nice way to start!
"Yes it was! But it’s only one race. A championship is about 18 rounds, and like in 2005, we need to be consistent, and score points when we can. We have to be fighting for the podium this weekend."

Giancarlo had reliability problems in Bahrain. Are you worried?
"No, I’m not. We know what happened with Fisi and we have an answer. It won’t happen again. We have run thousands of kilometres without any problems during the winter, and I am very confident."

What’s at stake this weekend?
"It will be a difficult race for everybody, physically and mechanically. The priority will be to cool the engine properly. Our rivals are very close, and it will be close – Renault, Ferrari, Honda and McLaren are right up there. In the past, Sepang has been good for Renault and Michelin, so we have a good chance."

Who will be the biggest rivals among these teams?
"It is hard to say. I think it will all depend on the tyres. If the Bridgestones are competitive, our main rivals will be Ferrari. If the Michelins are better, we will look to McLaren and Honda. In 2005, only McLaren and Renault were fighting for the title, and a bad weekend meant you finished P4. This year, a weekend when you are not at the maximum and you will finish 7th or 8th. So we need to work harder, be more concentrated, and develop the car more, especially when we get back to Europe."

Do you like the new qualifying session?
"It is a difficult, complex exercise. You need to do a lot of laps without making any mistakes. That puts the teams under a lot of pressure, the mechanics, engineers and drivers, but I think it is a good show for the fans. As always, you need to be in the top 5 to have a chance of winning. We saw it last week: Kimi was very quick but he started last. He couldn’t go for the win."

Ever since Bahrain, you seem very chilled out. Why?
"I am always relaxed. I try to do my best in the car, and not to worry too much about everything else apart from driving the car. This weekend, the car will be very competitive again and I will try to do my best."

Valentino Rossi has apparently challenged you to a ‘duel’ on bikes, and in F1 and WRC cars. Have you heard?
"I read it in the press as well. I don’t think it’s true. However, if it is, I don’t think I will have the time to do it now. I am concentrating totally on F1, sorry."