Alonso back in top gear

FERNANDO ALONSO is confident he will enjoy a happy, trouble-free new year following a turbulent 2007.

Alonso returned to the Renault cockpit yesterday for the first time since clinching the second of his back-to-back titles with the French marque in 2006, and he was immediately back on the pace.

On the second day of a three-day test in Jerez, the 26-year-old promptly set the fastest time. All that was lacking for Alonso was a new car as Renault are not due to launch their challenger for the forthcoming season until January 31 in Paris.