While speculation continues linking him with a move to Ferrari, Fernando Alonso is keen to focus on the present, his sixth season with Renault, and his desire to win his third title.

Asked about the Ferrari speculation at tonight's press conference in Portimao, the Spaniard said: "I have been answering this question for four or five years. Hopefully this year I can be more relaxed about this question.

"If we are winning races and fighting for the championship, maybe we can forget Ferrari and that is my aim," he continued. "I am really concentrating on this 2009 season and I am more motivated than ever.

"There is only one target for this 2009 championship," he added. "Winning the drivers' championship and winning the constructors'.

"All the results that we have from the wind tunnel, everything is more optimistic than we expected. The results are better than we predicted so everybody is quite motivated. Hopefully for the first race we are able to be fighting for the podium at least."

Against all odds, the Spaniard took two wins in 2008, one (Singapore) somewhat fortuitous but the other, just two weeks later in Japan, won in the supremely confident style we had become used to. Looking ahead to this season, when his car should be more competitive, the two-time champion is confident of success.

"I am better prepared, physically and mentally than ever," he said, "and with all these changes I am really looking forward to sitting in the car on Wednesday and starting in Australia. If we don't win the championship, it will be a disappointment."