Alonso sees US GP as his toughest test

Indianapolis: Renault's Fernando Alonso is bracing himself for his toughest test of the year in Sunday's US Grand Prix.

After winning the last four races, and six out of nine so far, Formula One's youngest champion leads Ferrari's Michael Schumacher by a hefty 25 points.

But the Indianapolis Motor Speedway has never been kind to the 24-year-old Spaniard, who has yet to finish in four visits to the 'Brickyard' and remains cautious about his chances of ending his streak of bad luck.

"Indianapolis for sure will be the most difficult race of the championship for us," Alonso said at the circuit on Thursday.

"The car was never competitive here, we don't know why, but we hope this year changes that. We have been competitive everywhere else.

"We expect a good performance here but we have some doubts for sure."

Alonso's bid to end his American drought ended before the race start last year when Michelin-equipped teams pulled out due to concerns over the safety of their tyres.

In 2004, Alonso completed just eight laps when he was forced out because of an accident while retiring with mechanical failures in 2003 and 2001.

This year, the Spaniard arrives as the dominant force in Formula One with a run of 15 successive podium finishes.

If Alonso triumphs in Indianapolis, he will join a group of just five drivers to have won five races in a row - Alberto Ascari (Italy), Schumacher, Jack Brabham (Australia), Jim Clark and Nigel Mansell (both Britain).

Ferrari Challenge

Renault's reliability has been no less impressive, Alonso having not retired from a race in more than a year. His last time was in Canada in June 2005.

A start-to-finish win last weekend at the Canadian Grand Prix, where he had also never stood on the podium, is sure to have provided the Spaniard with a jolt of confidence as he looks to add another high-profile victory to his list of successes.

Once again, Renault's main challenge is expected to come from former champions Ferrari who have captured five of the six US Grands Prix staged at Indianapolis since 2000.

Schumacher has crossed first here four times, including last year's fiasco when just six cars took the start after the 14 with Michelin tyres withdrew after the parade lap.

Bitter American motor racing fans can expect a more competitive race this year with Alonso promising a better show and Schumacher needing a victory to keep his fading championship hopes alive.

"I think after what happened last year everyone is expecting a good show and we will put on a good show for them," promised Alonso. "We want to go on the track tomorrow and enjoy the weekend."