Alonso - Sixth the best we could do

Alonso: taking risks

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Fernando Alonso was satisfied with his sixth place in Sunday's Turkish Grand Prix, the double World Champion conceding that it was the best that Renault could have hoped for.

This year's campaign got off to a slow start for Renault, whose R28 chassis has struggled to find the requisite speed needed to break out of the midfield.

However, the Regie introduced new aerodynamic upgrades in the build-up to the Spanish Grand Prix, which immediately saw Alonso and team-mate Nelson Piquet finding a few extra tenths of a second.

And, although the improvement means that points are possible, the Spaniard accepted that podiums or better are still beyond Renault's grasp.

"At the moment yes," he answered, when asked if sixth place was the best he could have achieved in Istanbul. "It's been two races with the new aero package and this is what we are aspiring to.

"The three teams in front are way ahead of the rest, but let's hope the next step that we take can bring us closer to them."

He added: "We took advantage of the puncture from one of the drivers (Heikki Kovalainen) in front and we beat (Mark) Webber, which is what we were expected to do, and I'm happy with how the car worked in the race."

Flying start

Alonso also revealed that his flying start, which saw him take fourth place at Turn One on the opening lap, came from a desire to take risks in the knowledge that Renault are some way from being title contenders.

"This year we are not fighting for the Championship, so if we don't finish a race it's not so serious, so I have to take risks and this time I could gain a few positions," he added.

After five races Alonso lies eighth in the Drivers' Championship on nine points.