Fernando Alonso has hit back at critics who have suggested he is indifferent towards
Renault's plight in 2008, claiming that he has merely tried to be ‘as honest as possible'.
The former double
Formula 1 World Champion endured a torrid start to the campaign after returning to the
Régie from McLaren-Mercedes, but a significant upturn in performance in his home race in Barcelona last weekend has given Alonso hope of a possible resurgence before the season is out.
Prior to the Spanish Grand Prix, however, the man from Oviedo had suggested it would be ‘impossible' to challenge for rostrum finishes this year, and repeatedly underlined his desire to be driving for a winning team in 2009, with many taking that to mean
Ferrari.
Now, though, Alonso has defended his comments, telling Spanish news agency
EFE that he had simply been trying to be ‘sincere' rather than dismissive about Renault's current situation, stressing that he is 100 per cent committed to the French concern.
“At points in the past, when I said I was going to win, people said I was arrogant,” the 26-year-old reasoned, “and now it is said that I am indifferent if I am in the opposite position.
“If this is the case it is because I try to be as honest as possible with the public.”
