Alonso expects Ferrari to be top - 4th March 10:38am GMT

Fernando Alonso reckons rivals Ferrari are hot favourites to win this year's title scrap.

Just two weeks before the opening Formula One race of the season, Alonso revealed that his McLaren team have fallen behind their Italian rivals.

And he predicted the legendary Italian team would be pacesetters for the opening round in Melbourne on March 18.

Behind them will be a tight fourway dogfight between his McLaren team, Renault, Williams and BMW.

"Ferrari is a little bit ahead of everybody and doing really quick and consistent times," said the Spaniard. "The other four will be very close on lap times."

Close scrutiny of Ferrari by the canny Alonso has revealed some good news - Michael Schumacher's successor at Maranello, Flying Finn Kimi Raikkonen, will not get the same priority treatment.

Team-mate Felipe Massa topped the most recent tests and has been given equal status.

"Everybody thought that Kimi was coming to Ferrari as number one and now they realise that Felipe is very quick as well," said Alonso.

"It's not a surprise for me. Either of them can win."