Alonso to race for podium

SINGAPORE – Fernando Alonso is determined to get a podium finish at the Singapore Grand Prix on Sunday and put the storm over his controversial victory here last year behind him.

The Spaniard was cleared of any wrongdoing in the Renault race-fixing row that saw his team hit with a two-year suspended ban from the sport.But his win last year, which was at the centre of the scandal after teammate Nelson Piquet junior deliberately crashed on team orders to help Alonso take the chequered flag first, has a hollow ring.Alonso, tipped for a move to Ferrari next season to replace Kimi Raikkonen, began in 15th position but after making an early pit stop to refuel, Piquet crashed into a wall, prompting the deployment of the safety car.As Alonso’s rivals then gradually disappeared into the pits to refuel, he catapulted himself into the lead and went on to win his first race in a year.’I like Singapore because it’s quite challenging and there are some interesting corners like the high-speed chicane at Turn 10 where you have to carry a lot of speed and use the kerbs,’ he said, without going into the row.’Overtaking isn’t easy in Singapore, but there are some opportunities.’Despite the drama of the past week that saw team principal Flavio Briatore banned for life and chief engineer Pat Symonds suspended for five years, Alonso’s focus is on the race.The two-time world champion could do with a decent result after struggling this season in a less-than competitive car, although he will be buoyed by finishing fifth at the Italian Grand Prix this month.Renault go into the race with technical director Bob Bell at the helm after he was promoted to acting principal for the remaining four races of the season, with the team keen to move on.’The Renault F1 Team is now ready to concentrate on the future and wishes to stress that no further comments or statements will be issued relating to the events of Singapore 2008,’ it said in announcing Bell’s appointment.Bell said Renault would have some upgrades to their cars in the remaining races, despite having already shifted their focus to 2010. Piquet was sacked by Renault before the Singapore scandal erupted and his replacement Romain Grosjean said he was fired up to claim his first Formula 1 points in his fourth race. – Nampa-AFP