Heading to Australia as defending race champion, Alonso is keen to stamp his authority not only on his new team, but also on the world championship, as he seeks the same sort of start that propelled him to his world crowns.
“Having spent the winter getting to know my new team and new car, I feel really at home and am very motivated to start racing," he said, "I always enjoy Australia, there is a great atmosphere and I am excited to get out there and see where we are compared to the other teams. Everyone is starting from zero and it is going to make things very interesting. Am I going to go out at Albert Park and win my first race with Vodafone McLaren Mercedes? We are certainly going to push hard to try.”
Hamilton, meanwhile, is being tipped by some as more than an outside bet for victory, but the Briton is typically understated in his reaction.
“Taking to the grid Australia is the end of one journey for me and the start of an even bigger one," he said, "I have been working incredibly hard towards this moment over the past few months - testing, physical training, working with the engineers at the McLaren Technology Centre and studying the regulations. I feel I have the experience I need and I definitely feel ready to get out there. This year will be a learning curve for me, Albert Park is one of the seven new tracks I’ll be racing on, but it is not a huge problem more an exciting challenge. I have always enjoyed street circuits....”
Renault – Giancarlo Fisichella (#3), Heikki Kovalainen (#4):
Despite losing Alonso to arch-rival
McLaren, Renault is not about toloosen its grip on the two world titles, although the now ING-backed team heads to Melbourne with a few points to prove as it too mirrors McLaren in fielding a veteran-rookie partnership in the shape of Giancarlo Fisichella and
Heikki Kovalainen.
