Alonso drops further Ferrari hint.

Whilst looking ahead to the forthcoming Formula 1 campaign with Renault, Fernando Alonso has suggested a future in scarlet could yet be on the horizon, by saying he 'hopes' Ferrari can defeat McLaren to retain its championship crown in 2008.

The Spaniard left McLaren after a season dogged by recriminations, controversy and very public fallings-out with both team boss Ron Dennis and team-mate Lewis Hamilton. In a parting shot, he questioned the Woking-based outfit's policy of employing two drivers with just a season's experience apiece in the top flight this year - in Hamilton and Heikki Kovalainen - but insisted any problems with the former had always been grossly over-exaggerated.

"I didn't believe a word of [what Hamilton was quoted as having said on Alonso being a bad role model - see separate story, click here], the two-time world champion affirmed. "Everywhere I go people ask me questions about him, and everywhere he goes people ask him questions about me. If one of us responds, the next day there are big headlines in the newspapers. It doesn't matter to me; it just tries to make something important out of something that isn't.

"We saw [that he is strong] last year from his performance in fighting for the championship. I think everyone was surprised, but there is nothing bad to say - no hard feelings.

"I had the opportunity to fight for the world championship for the third consecutive year and now I have a new challenge. I am here in 2008 and that's enough. Hopefully this year I can fight for wins with Ferrari and McLaren and enjoy the championship."

There was precious little enjoyment for Alonso in 2007, but having returned to Renault - with whom he claimed both his drivers' world titles in 2005 and 2006 - he is anticipating a far happier season ahead. Prior to his rejoining the French ?quipe, however, there was a flurry of rumours insisting he had signed a Ferrari deal for 2009 alongside defending champion Kimi Raikkonen, and he did little to pour cold water on that speculation.

"In a sporting way, Renault is my family," he stated. "I was here for six years and now I'm here again. I feel very comfortable here.

"It's a fantastic opportunity to have a good season, after the difficulties Renault had in 2007. For me 2007 was a very difficult championship too. We need to be up on the podium this year and winning races, and put Renault back on top again.

"If I can win the championship again with Renault I will be very happy, but from the performance they had in 2007 no one can think that Renault will be able win this year. If we can do it then it will be something special.

"I hope for the tifosi that Ferrari has a good championship too. If I don't have the opportunity to win it, I really hope Ferrari can. I'm just 26, so maybe one day I'll be able to drive for Ferrari. It's certainly a team which is always in the fight for the championship, but for now I need to concentrate on winning with Renault and getting the maximum out of this year.

"I'm still very young, though, so maybe this [Renault] won't be my last team. Who knows?"