By Michele Lostia and Matt Beer Tuesday, June 5th 2007, 15:00 GMT
Fernando Alonso says he expects to be a much stronger force in the second half of the 2007 season.
The reigning champion leads the standings after his Monaco victory, despite insisting that he is still finding his feet at McLaren and has yet to show his full potential.
"I've always said that my and the car's potential will be seen mostly in the second half of the season, when I will be fully accustomed inside the team," he was quoted as saying by Gazzetta dello Sport.
"On top of that, traditionally McLaren improve in the second half of the season.
"It's been positive to be this quick in the first five races of the year, but the best will come in the last five or six.
"Anyway, if I should carry on like this, that is by taking 38 points every five races, then I'd win the championship. I'd settle for being at 76 points after ten races."
Alonso brushed aside any remaining suggestion that McLaren's instructions to their drivers in Monaco had prevented Lewis Hamilton from challenging him for victory, but added that he was now keen to break away from his teammate in the points and become McLaren's lead title contender.
"I know the British press suggested that (team orders were applied), but if you get to the first pit stop with a ten-second disadvantage to your teammate, then it's hard to pass him even if you stop later," he said.
"Obviously the team can still have doubts over who should be the first driver.
"We are tied in the points, we have the same chances, but winning at Monaco was clearly important from this point of view, so I must take advantage of it now."
Despite his optimism about the latter part of the season, Alonso believes Ferrari will be very tough to beat in the forthcoming Montreal and Indianapolis races.
"In my opinion Ferrari are favourites in the next two races, even though, compared to previous years, we will be fitted with the same tyres," he said.
"Let's hope that's enough to even things out, especially at Indianapolis, a circuit that seems built especially to highlight Ferrari's characteristics, as was Australia, where they were practically unmatchable."
