The 2006 Formula One season is now less than two weeks away and while the teams have been busy testing in Europe, Richard Randle, and Nigel D'Rosario found time to discuss the season ahead.

RR: So Nige, as you know the teams have been busy testing in and around Europe, who in your opinion has come out on top over the winter?

NDR: I would probably still say Renault. Ferrari have improved pace - but lost reliability, Toyota are well prepared but maybe not there yet. Honda is looking strong but without all the credentials, and Williams the same but further back. McLaren on the catch up.

RENAULT

RR: You say Renault have come out on top, and I'd have to agree, Mark Webber has said that last year Alonso's title was easy, but fears it could be easier still this year. But with Alonso moving on to McLaren do you think his title chances could be hindered by Renault not disclosing important information to him in order to stop that kind of thing being passed on to McLaren?

NDR: Could be, but then who is to say Renault will definitely be around after that, perhaps the reason he made the move, and therefore Renault would give everything to win again.

RR: Yeah, that's true, rumour has it that Renault could be packing their bags at the end of the season. Still lets assume that doesn't happen for now. Do you think Giancarlo Fisichella will have a better time of it this year?

NDR: Perhaps. But drivers like Fisichella - Coulthard for example - don't quite have that ruthless edge to them that could take it away from a driver who has just won the championship, had the edge over you all season, and now consequently has sky high confidence. I have noticed another change in Alonso this year during testing. I'd say watch out Michael, Kimi and Juan Pablo.

RR: Yeah, Alonso seems to be very buoyed up at the moment, and who can blame him. Still I think there's a chance for Fisichella, remember he was voted the drivers driver of the year a couple of years back when he was struggling along in the Jordan. I think he's just unlucky, but he does lack a little something

NDR: I agree. I reckon he has the ability but not the mindset of a champion. Suzuka last year was absolutely ridiculous I must say. If you are going to be pressured that much from a guy that was still a second or two back, and before that something like 17 seconds back, you do not have the mental toughness to compete regularly at the front. He will improve this year though. Maybe the team will back him more for his loyalty to them, unlike Fernando.

RR: Yeah, that's what I was thinking. I just hope they don't completely block Alonso out of anything. At the end of the day it's a team sport, and Renault must think of what's best for them regarding the Alonso situation, but they must also think of the championship. Flavio Briatore is notoriously harsh in situations like this. Jenson Button claims he was blocked out at the end of 2002, as does Jarno Trulli when he announced his departure in 2004. You have to hope the same won't be said for Fernando.

NDR: I personally think Jenson had the edge over Jarno, but I often read otherwise.

NDR: Yes. You have to really. What says that anyone will topple them. At the end of last year they showed they were cruising mid-season and cam back Japan and China and showed REAL pace. Only Raikkonen's brilliance in Japan spoiled it.

RR: Yeah you cant disagree with that, and of course as constructors champions, they get all the added benefits too, extra space in the garages, choice of pit box and so on, they're going to want to stay there and I think they will

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