Fernando Alonso believes Michael Schumacher's San Marino Grand Prix win proves Formula One's most successful driver is a genuine world championship threat again.
Schumacher held off Alonso for 30 nerve-wracking laps at Imola yesterday to claim his first real win since October 2004.
Those 10 points have shot Schumacher up to second in the standings, 15 points behind Alonso, who expects a more sustained challenge from Ferrari than their meek title defence last year.
He said: "Michael for sure will be a contender and a big rival at the end of the championship, but he is not the only one. Both McLarens will be there and I hope Giancarlo Fisichella will be at the end fighting. It can be more than two or three drivers at the end of the championship."
A slow spell midway through the race saw Alonso catch Schumacher and set up a repeat of last season's tense finale, when the roles were reversed and the Spaniard clung on to win.
Schumacher kept his nerve to win and end a victory drought dating back to his last title-winning season, discounting the six-car parade at Indianapolis last year.
Despite being beaten, Alonso was content with the result and still believes Renault hold an advantage over their rivals.
"As far as me being competitive, this track was never a good track for us, but we were still the fastest car on the track," he added.
"I am very confident for the next races and the championship - it looks a little bit better."
