MADRID, Spain — Following a season of turmoil that saw him fail in a run at a third straight F1 title, Fernando Alonso is keeping it simple in his return to Renault.
He is taking it one race at a time.
Alonso is starting over again with the French team following a tumultuous year at McLaren that was supposed to complete his coronation as Formula One’s next superstar.
However, a public fallout with teammate Lewis Hamilton, who provided a surprising challenge to the Spanish driver’s championship run, left Alonso bitter at not receiving the treatment he felt a two-time defending champion deserved.
After helping set off a spy scandal that cost the British team the constructors’ championship and a $100 million fine, Alonso walked away from McLaren despite finishing third — a single point back of champion Kimi Raikkonen — in the closest title race in 21 years.
Now, he returns to the team he helped dominate F1 in 2005 and 2006.
Renault finished 50 points behind second-place BMW Sauber and 153 behind champion Ferrari in the constructors’ championship in 2007.
“I knew from the start it would be difficult, but the team is better,” Alonso said. “I probably have a 30 percent chance of being champion.”
Only eight drivers have ever won three world championships. Alonso’s rivals don’t expect the Oviedo native to make that list in 2008.
“I think Alonso was more dangerous at McLaren,” Ferrari’s Felipe Massa said. “At Renault I think he has a lot of work to do, we’ll have to wait and see. Renault won some championships, they can improve, they are a good team. But not for the moment.”
Alonso and rookie teammate Nelson Piquet Jr. have been cautious about the team’s expectations with so much scrutiny enveloping the Spaniard’s arrival.
Piquet Jr. said improvements would be necessary if Renault wants to challenge for the podium.
“In a normal race — a normal situation — I don’t think we’re going to win the race. In rain, or other different kind of situations, I think we can win a race. But I don’t think we have the speed to win a race right now,” the Brazilian rookie said.
Renault should be focusing on Red Bull, Williams and BMW Sauber rather than favorites McLaren and Ferrari. The 2008 car still needs time, which is short with the season-opening Australian Grand Prix on March 16.
“These kind of things you can’t fix in a day,” Piquet Jr. said. “We won’t win the title in one day. It will be a fight with all of the teams after McLaren and Ferrari.”
Fisichella, who joined Force India after being pushed out by Renault, said the French team was paying for poor development and testing.
“To win a race for Fernando is difficult this year. Renault is a little bit better but not enough to win a race,” said the Italian driver, who teamed with Alonso during his championship runs. “McLaren and Ferrari are a good step forward compared to them … maybe they can fight for the podium sometimes, but it’s going to be tough.”
Though the R28 car has regularly finished one second back of Ferrari and McLaren in winter testing, Alonso has help.
A ban on traction control has put the focus on the drivers, with Alonso’s aggressive style well-suited.
The No. 1 status accorded by team boss Flavio Briatore lets him focus on the track, where he hopes to surprise on race day.
And most important, he’s back at Renault.
“We’re making a huge effort. I wake up at 7 every morning and get to thinking of what we can do (to improve the car),” the 26-year-old pilot said. “I’ve recovered my passion for racing.”
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