New Delhi: The 2009 Formula One season is all start to start with the Australian Grand Prix just a fortnight away and Renault are busy testing their new car with Fernando Alonso in Barcelona.
With a relatively successful stint in the testing sessions so far, Alonso is hopeful of a successful season ahead. Alonso is closely monitoring Renault's new R29 car at the testing sessions in Barcelona.
"This year our starting point is much better. We are not very far from the leaders. We aren't a second and a half behind them but only a few tenths of second. So if the rhythm of evolution is as good as last year's then we have hopes," said Alonso.
The results have already started to show. Alonso clocked the fifth fastest time in Wednesday's testing and looks geared up to improve on his fifth place finish last season.
"I think it's not any more a Ferrari-McLaren domination. There are some teams that are showing a good pace like BMW, they are very quick, Toyota, Brawn. So we'll see. I think it's a very open championship, it's very interesting, good for the public, good for the spectators, and hopefully good for the sport," he said.
The past few months have seen a lot of struggle for the F1 think-tank as a few teams pulled out, while a few continue to struggle due to the economic slowdown but Alonso is positive about the sport's future outlook.
"Well, I think it was necessary to do some cuts in the budget of Formula One because in the last 10 years I think everything was a bit exaggerated in terms of budgets. Now it's more normal so I think it's good also because Formula One will refresh, will start again nearly from zero. I think the teams are very united as well in all these things so this is good for our future," he said
As for Alonso's future, Renault will be hoping he can build on the team's fourth placing last year and perhaps even mount a serious challenge for a third world title.
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