Alonso seeks home hat-trick in France

PARIS, July 12 (Reuters) After winning two of his home races, in Spain and Britain, Renault's Formula One world champion Fernando Alonso can complete the hat-trick in France this weekend.

''The French guys in the team, they are extra motivated and excited for their home Grand Prix,'' said the 24-year-old Spaniard, who lives in Britain, on his return to Europe after two races in North America.

''So that's my focus -- to do better than ever for them, and concentrate on winning in France for our team, for Renault, and for (French tyre and fuel partners) Michelin and Elf as well,'' he said in a team preview.

Alonso won in Barcelona in May and at Silverstone in June and dominated at Magny-Cours, Renault's home circuit in the heart of rural France, last season after finishing second there in 2004.

Ferrari's seven times world champion Michael Schumacher, 19 points behind after winning the previous race at Indianapolis, is the main rival in terms of the title.

But McLaren's Kimi Raikkonen, using the same Michelin tyres as Alonso, could also be a big threat on Sunday afternoon.

While Schumacher has won seven times at Magny-Cours, and can become the first driver to win the same grand prix eight times, Michelin can expect to have the upper hand in their backyard after Bridgestone's show of strength in the United States.

Renault bosses are confident 'normal service' will be resumed after Schumacher's win at Indianapolis ended Alonso's run of four wins and five poles in a row.

BIG PICTURE The Spaniard, chasing his seventh victory in 11 races, sounded upbeat.

''I won four races in a row before Indy, but I always said that the championship was not over, and it sounded really pessimistic,'' he said.

''But a gap of 25 points before Indy didn't mean that we would be champions automatically, and now that the gap is 19 points, we cannot be pessimistic and think the advantage will disappear quickly.

''You have to look at the big picture for the championship. I was first or second at nine of the 10 races -- and in the next eight races, I think we will be able to keep on winning and increase the lead even more.'' REUTERS AY HS2051