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Mercedes is favourite in Monaco - Alonso

Fernando Alonso passed Nico Rosberg in Spain but does not think it will be so easy in Monaco © Sutton Images

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Fernando Alonso thinks Mercedes will be the favourite for victory at the next grand prix in Monaco after Nico Rosberg and Lewis Hamilton have dominated qualifying at the last three races.

Mercedes has taken a hat-trick of pole positions since the Chinese Grand Prix, but has struggled to convert them into wins due to excessive tyre wear during races. However, Alonso thinks the slow and twisty nature of the Monte Carlo street circuit could mean that taking pole position is enough for Mercedes to win the race in two weeks' time.

"They will arrive as favourites for Monaco. They've been on pole position for the last three races, they were on pole last year with Michael [Schumacher]'s lap, so it would be a surprise if they weren't on pole position in Monaco.

"It's more difficult to overtake in Monaco, so maybe they can keep good positions for longer. It's something we need to understand and we need to do a better job on Saturday, Felipe and I, and Monaco is one of those places where we must do it."

However, Alonso is confident Ferrari will be competitive again on the streets of Monaco.

"I'm confident for Monte Carlo. Looking at the last three years, even when we were not competitive in Monte Carlo, we always managed to be on the podium, more or less, in a consistent way so that's the aim for this year as well.

"We had a problem in Malaysia, the retirement, the problem with the rear wing in Bahrain and we lost some of the consistency that we need to fight for the championship. In the three trouble-free races we've had this year we finished second in Australia, we won in China and in Spain so what we want to do is put together four or five consistent races with no problems and try to get some podiums in our pocket and score some good points, and I think in Monaco we can continue this trend.

"I remember in 2011 we were lapped here by the McLarens and Red Bull and we arrived in Monaco and we nearly won the race, we finished second behind Sebastian with a red flag on the last lap. We were fighting for victory so I don't see any reason - with this car which is also competitive everywhere - not to fight for top positions in Monaco. Let's hope so."

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.