Alonso fears McLaren Monza threat

Ferrari's Fernando Alonso said he felt McLaren were the early front-runners at what promises to be an incredibly competitive Italian Grand Prix. McLaren's Lewis Hamilton and Jenson Button set the pace in Friday practice, but Alonso was only 0.058 seconds behind them in third. Alonso, the world championship leader, said: "McLaren looked very strong so we need to find something extra." But Button said: "Ferrari's pace is very good. They are very, very quick." Thfield is extremely closely matched - just 0.257secs separated pace-setter Hamilton from Force India's Nico Hulkenberg in eighth fastest. Button said: "There are quite a few cars out there that are quick, it's very, very close. The Mercedes are quick, the Lotus... "It's going to be an interesting weekend, it's not going to be straightforward for any of us." Alonso had a difficult day, suffering engine, braking system and gearbox failures, but he said he was hopeful of a good weekend.