World title is Alonso's next target

After breaking two Formula One records in the last few months, Fernando Alonso now has his sights set on an ultimate hat-trick.

In Malaysia earlier this year Alonso became the youngest driver to claim pole, and at Hungary yesterday he followed that up by becoming the youngest to win a grand prix.

At 22 years and 26 days, Alonso beat the mark set by Troy Ruttman in May 1952, with the American 54 days older, and it was a comfortable victory as he was never troubled at any stage over the 70 laps at the Hungaroring.

An emerging talent, Alonso has three years to become the youngest world champion, an honour currently held by Emerson Fittipaldi who was almost 26 when he took motor sport’s greatest prize.

Alonso, who also became the first Spaniard to win a grand prix, believes there is a chance he could push Michael Schumacher, Juan Pablo Montoya and Kimi Raikkonen all the way next season.

“I am 22 years old, I now have my first victory and I hope I have a lot of time in Formula One,” said a delighted Alonso, with current title-challengers Montoya and Raikkonen either side of him.

“The next step will be to fight for the world championship like these guys as soon as possible.

“I am in a big team and next year we have a good project, so the new car should be a lot better than this year’s car.

“Hopefully we will close the gap to the top teams and maybe next year we fight for more victories and a good position in the championship.”

Alonso is not too far behind the championship-chasing trio as he trails Schumacher by 18 points with three races remaining in Italy, the United States and Japan.

Schumacher’s hopes of winning a record-breaking sixth world crown are fast receding as he could only manage eighth yesterday, with Raikkonen runner up and Montoya third.

Just two points separate the three protagonists – Schumacher 72, Montoya 71 and Raikkonen 70 – and the most thrilling race in years looks set to go to the wire.

But Alonso has written off Schumacher’s chances of a fourth successive title with Ferrari, instead favouring Williams-BMW’s Montoya and Raikkonen at McLaren.

“It depends on the tyres. I think they will be the key to the championship,” added Alonso.

“The Michelins have been more competitive in the last three or four races so Kimi and Juan Pablo have a better chance to win it than Michael on the Bridgestones.

“And between the two of them, it will be the more consistent driver. With three races left, if they have one retirement or something then they lose the championship.”

Alonso could not hide his delight at the victory, which was Renault’s first as a manufacturer for 20 years, describing it as “the best day of my life.”

Raikkonen, who had started seventh on the grid, eventually captured the runners-up spot for the fifth time this season and he is now firmly back in the hunt.

With the title up for grabs he said: “I’m happy with this result as we have closed the gap significantly in the championship and anything can happen.

“I’m now looking forward to the last three races. I can’t wait and I know we will give it 100%.”

For Montoya, the race proved eventful as he suffered a dismal start by dropping from fourth to eighth, and then after proving he again had the fastest car, he almost blew his third place with a spin eight laps from home.

But with the Colombian arguably favourite for the title, he is now going to push as he said: “You have got to make sure of that.

“We are only one point away and I know we can finish ahead of him (Schumacher) in the next race so then we are going to be leading the championship, although we have to wait to see where Kimi ends up and everything.

“But I think it is going to be a quite exciting end to the season.”

Team-mate Ralf Schumacher was fourth, with David Coulthard in the second McLaren fifth, followed by the Jaguar of Mark Webber and Jarno Trulli in the other Renault.