Alonso tips Button for title

Former double World Champion Fernando Alonso believes that Jenson Button and Brawn GP will be fend off the charge of Red Bull Racing and clinch this year's Formula One Drivers' crown. The Spaniard admits that choosing a winner is not easy but is sure that Button's 18.5-point lead is sufficient to stay at the top.

Although one retirement could dramatically change the 2009 championship outcome for any of the leading contenders, recent races have seen the likes of Ferrari, McLaren, Williams and Alonso mixing it with the early-season leaders. "It's difficult now, with the Red Bull recovery in the last Grands Prix, but I'm still betting on Button for the World Championship," Alonso said in a Renault podcast when talking of who was in best shape for the overall victory this season.

"The advantage is still there. Even if the Red Bulls now are quite quick, it is difficult to always get one-two in the races so I think Button - if he manages the situation - is the big favourite."

The last Grand Prix in Hungary saw Alonso clinch his first pole position since doing so with McLaren at Monza in 2007 before going on to lead the opening stint of the race at the Hungaroring. He now believes that Renault can consistently challenge for podium positions:

"Yes, I do. We proved last year that anything is possible in Formula One; Renault has always proved how to find their capacity to improve the cars and to find the direction to go in, so I don't see any reason not to be optimistic for the rest of the championship and hopefully a podium or win is still possible."


Source: GP Update