Alonso determined to win Schuey battle

Fernando Alonso is backing himself to retain the world championship, even though he concedes Renault face a torrid time over the next three races.

The 25-year-old arrives at the Hungaroring for this weekend’s Hungarian Grand Prix with his championship lead slashed by 14 points over the last three races, to just 11.

A hat-trick of wins have brought Ferrari’s Michael Schumacher back into the scrap and Alonso does not expect matters to be any easier in the coming weeks.

He said: “I think it will be close but especially the next three races will be difficult for us.

“We have not had time to react, we will be struggling here and also in Turkey because there are no tests. After that Monza is a good circuit for Ferrari at high speed.”

But Alonso believes he holds the trump cards, claiming the final races in China, Japan and Brazil will work in his favour.

“For the last three races I am really confident,” he added. “I put the money on me.”

Alonso’s quiet confidence has been rocked by Schumacher’s resurgence, with cracks appearing in his usually calm demeanour.

In Germany last weekend he shook his fist angrily at his rival following a minor pitlane incident but insists he is not rattled by the title pressure.

“I am not afraid,” he said. “We will do the maximum – Renault, Ferrari, Michael and me – we will see at the end.

“If Michael wins the remaining races he will be the champion for sure – this is quite logical. If he wins 12 or 13 races in a season he deserves it.

“Let’s wait and see. He is coming closer, Ferrari are very strong now. It is true we have to be stronger to beat them.

“The gap is not enough to be champion. We need to beat them on the track and I think we can do it.”