Alonso: Ferrari is the threat not Lewis

15/05/2007

According to The Times, Fernando Alonso arrived in Barcelona last week looking "haunted", so no doubt by the time he arrives in Monaco next week he will calling The Samaritans on a regular basis.

However, despite the British media's best efforts to convince the world that Alonso is running scared of his mercurial new teammate, the Spaniard insists that the real threat to his title hopes - and yes he still has them - does not come from within but from Ferrari.

Asked if he has re-evaluated Hamilton now that the Englishman has made such an amazing, though some would say 'expected' transition to F1, having taken the lead in the World Championship just four races into his career, the Spaniard said: "I think it is still the same.

"He is still my team mate," he continued. "After one or two races, we saw him become a championship contender and we still see him as one now. In a way, I look at him the same way I look at Kimi or Felipe, opponents for the championship. I have to beat them all if I want to become champion.

"But he is the one who worries me least," added the two-time world Champion, "because he is my team mate and we are here to help each other. I worry more about the Ferrari pace than if Lewis is two points ahead of me."

Prior to winning at Monaco in last season, Alonso's best result in the Principality was fourth in 2005. Hamilton, who has never driven a F1 car around the streets of Monte Carlo, has won there in both GP2 and F3.