F1: Alonso puts rivals in their place after cruise

May 28 2007 By Ian Parkes, The Journal

Fernando Alonso has warned his rivals there is "more to come" after cruising to his second successive Monaco Grand Prix victory, writes Ian Parkes.

Other than the odd threat from McLaren team-mate Lewis Hamilton, Alonso was never troubled around the 78 laps of the Monte Carlo street circuit.

Even then, McLaren adopted a strategy that ensured Alonso would win - other than if there had been the intervention of a safety car.

The one-two finish means reigning double world champion Alonso and rookie Hamilton are tied for the lead at the top of the drivers' standings. However, the Spaniard has the edge over Hamilton as he has won two Grands Prix, while the 22-year-old Briton has now finished runner-up on four successive occasions after starting the season with a third in Australia.

"This win means a lot, both psychologically and also for the championship battle," said Alonso after taking the chequered flag for the 17th time in his career.

"I have never had the experience of being more than one minute ahead of our competition which probably makes this one of my best victories.

"It was a very nice surprise to see how the team's hard work over the last couple of weeks had made our car so competitive.

"Every time I now get in the car I am improving, so I am quite happy about this team, and I hope there is still more to come." Hamilton finished within four seconds come the end, while Felipe Massa was almost 70 seconds adrift in third in his Ferrari, with the rest of the field at least a lap down.

That is as good as it is likely to get for Alonso, who added: "I enjoy driving here. It's not easy at times, but I did enjoy it thanks to a fantastic car. It was so good to drive all through the race, and that's the best thing about it - even more than the victory."

Alonso conceded he "wasn't worried" by Hamilton, who came within 0.8 seconds of the lead at one stage.

"After we stopped (for the second pit stop) we cruised to the end, and brought the cars safely home," said Alonso. "Even if a car is half a second behind you it will never overtake you here in Monaco." Alonso then dismissed the suggestion there was no fight, adding: "It's always a fight because you cannot make a mistake. You cannot be wide in one corner, you cannot miss one of the chicanes or brake too late. But to have that kind of battle in Monaco is easier for the first guy because you can maintain position."

Marat Safin signalled his intent to launch an assault on the 2007 French Open title after an imperious display on a rain-hit opening day at Roland Garros.

The former world number one from Russia routed Fernando Vicente 6-1 6-3 6-1 to become the first player to book reach the second round. The 22nd seed took an hour and 25 minutes to see off the Spaniard, who has not won a match on the tour since last summer.

"I need to stick around and get through a couple of rounds to get into the groove," he said.

In the opening day's only other match, Potito Starace of Italy beat Ivo Minar 4-6 6-1 6-4 7-6 (7-5).

World number one Roger Federer will today begin his quest for the only grand slam to so far elude him. The Swiss faces America's Michael Russell.

Serena Williams recovered from a dreadful start to ease into the second round with a three-set opening-day win over Tsvetana Pironkova. Williams lost just two games in the final two sets in a 5-7 6-1 6-1 win to set up a second-round clash against either Milagros Sequera or Virginie Razzano.

Reigning champion Justine Henin joined Williams in the second round, but she was also made to work for her victory. The Belgian, looking for her third straight singles title at Roland Garros, beat Russia's Elena Vesnina 6-4 6-3.