TOKYO, March 28 - World champion Fernando Alonso said on Tuesday that he
was confident of winning back-to-back Formula One titles with Renault.
"I feel no pressure," the 24-year-old Spaniard told reporters in Tokyo
before this weekend's Australian Grand Prix.
"After winning the title last year I can focus on the championship and races
with no worries in my mind, no pressure from anybody. I can now be really
confident to win the championship again."
Alonso won the season-opening Bahrain Grand Prix and came second behind
Italian team mate Giancarlo Fisichella in round two in Malaysia.
"Last year they looked at me like a young talented driver," said Alonso, who
won seven grands prix last season on his way to becoming the youngest champion
in Formula One history.
"Now they look at me like the world champion. I don't need to prove anything
any more."
Alonso said his haul of 18 points from this year's first two races had
already given a vital edge in his final season with Renault before joining
McLaren from 2007.
"I think it was a dream come true after winning last year," he said. "I had
some doubts in 2006 with the new rules, new cars, engines, Scoring 18 of 20
points is a fantastic start."
Melbourne is the last of the three long-haul races that open the season
before the championship returns to Europe next month with the San Marino Grand
Prix.