World championship runner-up Fernando Alonso believes Mercedes will be in the hunt for the 2011 title, as the German manufacturer prepares for its second season back in the sport in its own right.

The Spaniard was talking at Ferrari's end of season event in Valencia, the end of a year in which he came so close to securing his third title.

"So much has been said about Abu Dhabi, but it's easy to talk with hindsight," he said. "The team was very disappointed with the missed opportunity but Ferrari's great strength is that it does not sink into depression because of one mistake, on the contrary, it reacts to be even more determined the following year.

"Personally, I really want to start again," he continued. "I expect again that four teams - us, Mercedes, McLaren and Red Bull - will be in the fight for the top.

"My first year at Ferrari was very nice and brought much satisfaction," he added. "If you think that at the beginning, I didn't even know the name of all the mechanics, then the start of next season should definitely be more straightforward. We are proud of what we have done and, at the same time, aware we have to improve."

Asked if he was disappointed with the team after Abu Dhabi, the Spaniard replied, "I am proud of what the Scuderia managed to achieve this season. In a year when we did not have the best car, we managed to get to the last race still in with a great chance of winning the title after staging a really strong recovery. In a race like that last one, anything could happen, as this is a sport, not pure maths.

"The comeback we mounted from the mid-point of the season onwards, the way in which we all pulled together, more united than ever, is much more important. There were races where we lost points, just as there were some where the others lost more, otherwise they would have won much earlier."