We’ll fight for the title: Fernando Alonso

With the Australian Grand Prix just a week away, double world champion Fernando Alonso tells DNA on what to expect this season.

Do you see yourself challenging for the title right from the onset or will it be the same 2008 story where the car looked ordinary in the first part and improved later on?
My aim, and the aim of the team, is to fight for podiums right from the start of the 2009 season. We want to be serious contenders of the championship. These are our objectives. The team has done a tremendous job in developing the R29 and we have had a solid winter season testing programme. I’m satisfied with the results of the testing and we feel that we are ready for the first race in Melbourne.

What are the lessons you have learnt from last season?
We developed the car throughout last season and the team worked hard to improve the car. We never gave up. The result of this hard work was rewarding as we won two races, the Singapore Grand Prix and the Japanese Grand Prix. For the first race in 2009, we are more determined and motivated than ever. It is in this frame of mind that we are kick-starting the season.

Will we see any surprises this season?
It is true that the cars are very different now with the new rules that have been put into place. It is however difficult to say which team will deliver a good performance or not. From what we have seen during the test season, I guess that there might be some surprises. We might see some midfield teams performing very well or maybe top teams not holding the highest spots this year. We will have to see what happens.

There has been a lot of talk about the way the car looks...
The cars do look very different this year, yes. As a result of the new rules, the aerodynamic of the car had to change dramatically. I am already used to the new look and I’m convinced that people will get used to it as well. I think that they will survive the test of time.

You are considered to be the most complete driver on the grid. What will it take to claim your third title?
I’m more motivated than ever and look forward to starting the season. The R29 is looking good; we have had good results while testing and we are confident starting this new season. Of course our aim is to fight for another title and we want to succeed in reaching this objective.

What is your opinion on the technology that has been introduced this season?
The new technology introduced this year has been very interesting so far. First the team has put a lot of effort in developing and making it work. The KERS system and the moveable flap are completely new and I have enjoyed testing them and helping the team in their development on track during the winter. We hope to see what impact they will really have at the first race in Melbourne. We will then be able to draw more precise conclusions.

Was it difficult to change your training regime to adapt to KERS?
As a racing driver, the training regime is highly important. With my physio, we have followed a specific training programme throughout the winter in order to maintain and gain extra fitness to be ready for the start of the season.

Do you think you can get the better of Lewis Hamilton this year...
I can’t draw conclusions on how McLaren will be performing during the season, even looking at what they have done during testing. Each team follows their own testing programme. For sure, I want to battle it out not only with Lewis, but with all the drivers on the grid in order to be on the podium. At Renault F1, we are looking good and are confident that we can do a good job.

Can the Ferrari-McLaren domination be broken this season?
This is a possibility, of course. With the new rules, all the cars on the grid have undergone an enormous amount of transformation in order to comply with the regulations. We will therefore see how both these teams have interpreted the regulations and subsequently how their cars will perform at the races.

Formula One is going through its worst slump due to the recession. Do you think drivers should take pay cuts?
Formula One is going through a real transformation, yes. Because of the economic climate that we are in, a number of cost-cutting measures are proposed by FOTA (Formula One Team Association) whose work has already shown results in terms of cuts. Like for all the proposed cuts, we have to see what is doable and fair in each area.