Alonso thinks he can win in Italy

Renault's world champion Fernando Alonso says he is looking for a 'special' victory in front of Ferrari's home crowd at Monza in Italy next weekend.

"This year I have won in Silverstone, in Monaco, in Spain -- and for sure, I want to win Monza too," the Spaniard said in a team preview on Monday for the last European race of the Formula One season.

"It is one of the legendary circuits, so it would be special to win there, and even more so to beat Ferrari at their home race," he added.

"We know how important the championship is, but this is a big race as well."

Alonso leads Ferrari's seven times world champion Michael Schumacher by 12 points with four races remaining. He was second at Monza last year but has never won at the historic circuit near Milan.

The Italian Grand Prix could be Schumacher's European farewell, with Ferrari due to announce their 2007 line-up after the race amid feverish speculation about the 37-year-old German's future.

Many Formula One insiders expect Schumacher to quit at the end of the year if he wins his eighth title.

Alonso said his only title rival could expect a tough fight down to the wire.

"There is only one target for the Renault team at the moment: to finish in front of Ferrari.

"They have been quite dominant in the last races, so beating them means winning races. That is our focus."

Renault are just two points clear of Ferrari in the constructors' battle but have a new engine development coming on stream for Monza.

"Monza is going to be a hard race, there's no doubt about it," said technical director Bob Bell. "We are in the heart of Ferrari territory.

"But you can look at it two ways: as a boost for them, or an added incentive for us to get the upper hand. Certainly, we are very motivated to return them the favour after they won on our home turf in Magny-Cours.

"I think Monza will suit the strengths of their package, but last week's test was very close and there is no reason to believe our package is weaker than theirs."