By Phil Huff
February 15 2006

Fernando Alonso is uncertain of how the championship may play out in 2006, tipping Honda Racing F1 drivers Rubens Barrichello and Jenson Button as possible winners. "I will have the number one on my car so probably at the start of next season people will make me out as one of the favourites to win," explained Alonso. "But the McLaren drivers, Michael Schumacher, Renault and probably the Honda drivers - if it's good enough in the winter tests - can all be champions in 2006."

Winter testing of the new Honda Racing RA106 has been extremely promising, with the Jenson Button running just 0.003s behind the Spanish driver at last weeks Valencia test.

Reliability has also been encouraging, with just one significant failure to date. With additional engine testing to be carried out at Super Aguri F1, Honda look set to have both a powerful and reliable car.

However, testing times are notoriously misleading. There won't be any conclusive answers until after the Bahrain Grand Prix.