JEREZ (SPAIN) - WAS Tuesday a taste of things to come?

Fernando Alonso finally got behind the wheels of a Renault for his first test drive of his second spell at the team - and posted the fastest time.

'There were a lot of good feelings, good memories and plenty of optimism,' said Alonso, who last drove a Renault when he won his second straight world title in 2006.

He went round the Circuito de Jerez in 1min 19.503sec, ahead of Pedro de la Rosa of McLaren and world champion Kimi Raikkonen.

Alonso severed ties with McLaren in November before signing with the French team. This followed a rocky season which was marked by a testy relationship with rookie teammate Lewis Hamilton.

'The team is completely different to the one I left in 2006,' the 26-year-old Spaniard said. 'They have improved a lot of things and strengthened many areas.

'So, in one sense, it is a new adventure with a new team.'

He has another rookie partner in Nelson Piquet Jr, but expects to have a good relationship with the Brazilian.

'For 2008, I don't anticipate problems with anybody, and Flavio Briatore has always demonstrated that he can manage these situations very well,' Alonso said, referring to the Renault team boss.

Renault have adapted last season's car for testing by removing driver aids which have been banned under new Formula One rules.

Said Alonso: 'It's the first time I have driven without traction control but, by the end of my runs, I started to go faster and take more risks with the car.'

He has dismissed some drivers' fears that the ban on traction control would make the sport more dangerous.

'It's about the driver finding his limits and adapting his driving style,' he said.

'I am convinced that after two or three races, we will have completely forgotten how it was to drive with driver aids.'

AGENCE FRANCE-PRESSE