Alonso laughs at Schumacher-to-Renault rumour

IMOLA, Italy, Apr 20 (Reuters) World champion Fernando Alonso says the idea that Michael Schumacher could move to Renault next season is laughable.

''I laugh. With that one, I laugh,'' the Spaniard told reporters at the San Marino Grand Prix today.

''For me, it's impossible -- knowing the team, knowing the bosses of the team, knowing Flavio. It's impossible that Michael comes here.'' Speculation has swirled this week that seven times champion Schumacher could switch from Ferrari to Alonso's team when the 24-year-old Spaniard moves to McLaren next year.

Schumacher's contract expires at the end of the season and he has yet to decide whether to continue racing or retire.

His manager Willi Weber was quoted last week as saying that Renault team boss Flavio Briatore, who oversaw Schumacher's first two titles at Benetton in 1994 and 1995, was interested.

''Flavio let on that we should talk to him before we sign another possible contract with Ferrari. He seems to be interested,'' he told Germany's Bild newspaper.

Schumacher is Formula One's highest paid driver, earning close to million a year according to Forbes magazine, while Renault have only the fifth or sixth largest budget in the sport. Alonso said that alone would be a key factor.

''For the money, I think he will not come here,'' he said.

RUMOUR MILL Alonso's McLaren deal was announced in December and he is glad not to be involved in the rumour mill.

''Every week we have a new history about Kimi (Raikkonen) or Michael -- if he retires or not, if Kimi stays at McLaren or goes to Ferrari -- Montoya to Red Bull or whatever,'' said the Spaniard.

''It's just what I didn't want to happen to me. In the first races of the championship I want to be concentrated.

''The announcement of the move to McLaren so early for sure had some disadvantages but it had some advantages also in my mind, to be relaxed and concentrated on winning and not having to answer a new paddock rumour at every race,'' said Alonso.

The Renault driver won at Imola last year, holding off Schumacher over the final few laps for a memorable success that seemed to epitomise the passing of a baton from one generation to another.

He played down the importance of that race on Thursday, pointing out that Schumacher had not been a contender over the course of the year, and of winning again on Sunday.

''If they (Ferrari) can win one race, it will be this one,'' he said. ''But for me, for the championship it is not a big change. I prefer to finish second or third here and win again at the Nuerburgring (the next race).'' Alonso has won two of the three races this year and enjoys a 17-point advantage over fourth-placed Schumacher, who crashed out of the last round in Australia.

Reuters AY KP2040