Alonso calls for caution ahead of Chinese Grand Prix

Fernando Alonso pulled off an unexpected win last time out in Malaysia, but the Spaniard, who is priced at 8/1 to repeat that feat in Shanghai, is not getting ahead of himself in terms of his chances in the Chinese Grand Prix.

Alonso currently leads the driver’s championship after being first over the line in rain-sodden conditions in Sepang, and despite some updates to his Ferrari, he is fully aware that the same problems that have existed all season will still prove difficult to counteract.

“I’m not expecting any surprises in this race, compared to what we saw in Australia and Malaysia,” Alonso wrote on the Ferrari website.

“It’s true almost three weeks have gone by, but that does not mean there was enough time to completely turn the car around in such a short time.”

Alonso’s technical director, Pat Fry, was equally coy about the team’s chances in China, claiming that in normal conditions Ferrari may well be up to a second slower than their counterparts at Red Bull and McLaren.

Ferarri will need Alonso to be at his best to be in a position to challenge for the podium and he can be backed to end the race in the top three at 2/1.

Any punters sharing Alonso and Ferrari’s caution may prefer to opt for the two-time world champion to finish in the top six at 1/2.

Alonso has produced two phenomenal drives in the circumstances, and defied the odds in a car that tested woefully throughout the winter, one only needs to look at team-mate Felipe Massa’s season so far to understand the task facing Alonso.

The Brazilian failed to finish in Australia and could only manage 15th in Malaysia. The former Sauber driver is 150/1 to cause an upset and win around the Sepang circuit.