MELBOURNE (Reuters) - Renault's Fernando Alonso says some of his former karting rivals would be better Formula One drivers than last year's runner-up to Michael Schumacher, McLaren's Kimi Raikkonen.
Finland's Raikkonen, Spain's Alonso, Colombian Williams driver Juan Pablo Montoya, Australia's Mark Webber of Jaguar and BAR's Briton Jenson Button are regarded as being among the new breed of young rivals looking to end the long reign of six times world champion Schumacher.
"I don't think that they are the best drivers of the new generation," Alonso was quoted as saying in local newspapers on Tuesday ahead of this week's season-opening Australian Grand Prix.
"Probably the best driver of the new generation is not in Formula One.
"(When) I raced in go-karts, there were 15 to 20 better drivers than we have now in Formula One but they cannot arrive because they don't have the luck," the 1998 European kart champion added.
"I feel very lucky. I thought I would be in go-karts all my life, (but) I had luck with sponsors, in Formula 3000, with Minardi and Renault, all those steps in my career.
"The new generation, I don't know. There are some drivers who are racing go-karts, then one year in Formula Three with not very good results and then in Formula One with a big team."
German Ferrari driver Schumacher, 35, has won four consecutive titles, although Raikkonen finished a close second last year.
Alonso, who scored his maiden Formula One victory in last year's Hungary Grand Prix, aims to improve on last year's sixth placing in the championship.
"I race to be world champion and that's all my ambition is," the straight-talking Spaniard said.
(c) Reuters 2004
