The World Championship leader sat down to talk about his season so far… here is the first part of a conversation with Fernando.

Firstly, Fernando, you finished second in yesterday’s race – what are your plans for the coming week?
Fernando Alonso: To take some time to relax! We have had a very busy few weeks with the races in North America, testing, and then the last two Grands Prix. The promotional schedule was also busy at our home races, so now I am taking some time to do some training, to relax and prepare for the races ahead. The test team are in Jerez this week, and have done a great job so far this year, plus we have some new developments in Hockenheim. I am looking forward to arriving there refreshed, and ready to fight for the podium.

You have had an extraordinary first half of the season – what is the best memory?
FA: The win at the Nürburgring, because it was a completely different victory to any of the others. I didn’t lead from start to finish – instead, I led for the lap that counted, at the end. That was a huge surprise after a race where I had to push very hard all the way, and it was a very emotional moment for me.

One of the keys for the second half of the year will be the rate at which the team can develop the car – are you confident?
FA: I am not worried about it all – but like with many things, we have to wait and see what happens. We know that we did not have fantastic performance in the last part of 2004, but I think we have learned the lesson and know the reasons. I know that the team is well prepared and working very hard on all the developments. We were very competitive at the last two races, and I believe we can do the job.

After leading the championship for half the season, how would it feel if you lost the position at the end of the year?
FA: Frustrating! Mathematically, I know I will lead the championship even after the next two races, so to lose the position at the end of the year after leading for a long time would be difficult. But when you think back to the start of the year, nobody thought we would be in this position – and even to be second this year, at 23 years old, would be a big, big achievement. In reality though, the feeling would really depend on how things happened: if you lose the championship because of retirements, then that would be very difficult; if it was because our competitors did a better job, then there is nothing you can do. That is how it happens in sport.