Analysis: Alonso aims for win on 100th GP

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By Alan Baldwin Wednesday, August 22nd 2007, 14:29 GMT


Double world champion Fernando Alonso intends to celebrate his 100th Grand Prix on Sunday by taking revenge on McLaren teammate Lewis Hamilton in Turkey.

The 26-year-old Spaniard, who lags the Briton by seven points with six rounds remaining, returns to the race track after a controversial weekend in Hungary before the August break.

The two drivers were reportedly not on speaking terms when they left Budapest, with their championship-leading team fighting fires on all fronts.

McLaren, already battling title rivals Ferrari over spying allegations, were barred from scoring constructors' points while Alonso was stripped of pole position for impeding Hamilton in qualifying.

While Hamilton went on to win, Alonso finished fourth.

Even if efforts have been made to patch up the shattered partnership, with Hamilton since denying any war with Alonso and affirming their "professional working relationship", the gloves will be off in Istanbul.

Alonso is itching to reassert himself, with his hopes of a third successive title after two with Renault depending on him getting the better of his phenomenal rookie teammate.

"It is always great to have a break and recharge the batteries, but it is fantastic to be getting back out on track in Turkey," the Spaniard said in a team preview.

"I have a solid points total in the drivers' world championship and I am aiming to build on that considerably in Istanbul," he added.

"I have come second in the two years we have raced here previously and I will be aiming to improve on that this time."

Hamilton has similar expectations, finishing second at the circuit in the GP2 support series last year after working his way from the back of the field.

"It felt like a win and it would be great to get on the top step this year," he said. "Along with the team, I am very motivated right now."

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Q & A with Fernando Alonso

By Jonathan Noble Thursday, August 23rd 2007, 15:09 GMT


Q. Are you excited about the weekend ahead?

Fernando Alonso: I am very excited. Always after a long break like we have just had for three weeks you really look forward to getting in the car again. This time it is Turkey after the break, which is a very exciting race, and it should be a positive weekend.

Q. Do you think you can win here this weekend?

FA: I hope so. I have never won here - I have two seconds places from the last two years so I really want to have a victory here. Hopefully this weekend will be my chance but it could be difficult. You never know what will happen in the race. There are four drivers that have a chance to win and hopefully I will be the winner.

Q. What are your thoughts on the Istanbul Park circuit?

FA: It is a very technical and difficult track. The circuit is very hilly so it is difficult to see the exit of some of the corners ? so you have to guess. Turn Eight is a very special corner in the entire championship.

It is a very long left-hander, where you are pulling 4g for three to four seconds. This is something unique and makes the circuit really stand out.

Q. Is the Istanbul Park track suited to the McLaren?

FA: It is difficult to say what the performance of our car will be at this track. I guess the Ferrari will be strong, as the long tracks with long corners such as Magny-Cours and Silverstone have been better suited to them, so it could be very difficult.

But for sure we have made improvements to the car over this period and we will try very hard to beat them this weekend.

Q. How was your holiday?

FA: For me the break was a little too long, as you always want to be in the car and especially with the championship as it is you do not want too many breaks. I spent the two weeks at home with family and friends; it was a very relaxed holiday.

Q. It will be your 100th Grand Prix, is this an important number for you?

FA: If I win this weekend it will be an important number as I will always remember this race. If I do not then I will try to forget my 100th Grand Prix very quickly.

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Alonso 'happy' to stay at McLaren

By Jonathan Noble and Pablo Elizalde Saturday, August 25th 2007, 14:57 GMT


Fernando Alonso says he will be happy to stay at McLaren next season as long as the team continue to have a winning car.

"As far as I have a winning car I am happy (at McLaren). This year we have a winning car, we are first and second in the drivers' championship and leading the constructors' so I am happy," the Spaniard told reporters after qualifying for the Turkish Grand Prix.

"There are not many options (for next year). I have a contract with McLaren so the possibility for the near future is around here and driving for McLaren. As far as I know that is the only possibility."

Alonso's comments come after he had said yesterday that he was unsure about his future at the team.

The two-time champion, who had met with McLaren boss on Thursday in order to clear the air after the controversy of Hungary, said on Friday he didn't feel rewarded by the team for his work in helping them bounce back from their first win-less season in a decade.

The Spaniard tried to explain his remarks after today's qualifying.

"It was just that we worked together in the winter," said Alonso when asked about his comments.

"I think the team had the potential but it is also true that some (things) were not in the right direction, so with this experience of the last two years I worked, I tried to help things as much as I could, to find the right way as we are running now in our normal weekends and that is what I meant yesterday.

"The things is that we work together very hard for two or three months before the start of the season.

"I said it to everybody," he added. "What I mean is just that ... When we spoke in the meeting on Thursday we spoke about the way to go forward in this championship and we try to win the last six races and try to become champions.

"They have their approach and their thinking for the race to be equal and to give the same opportunities for everybody and completely understand and completely respect.

"I put to them my opinions, how they were last year and fighting to be in Q3, how they are this year winning races and we all agreed that most of these change has become from these things all over the winter and how the car improved. That is the only thing.

"We tried to put everything on the table together for everybody and that was the thing that I said yesterday and I am saying again today."