By GMM

Fernando Alonso is not confident that a podium finish is a realistic target for next weekend's British grand prix.

The Spaniard qualified well but ultimately finished just eighth at Magny-Cours last Sunday, stating afterwards that his optimism had been misplaced and that the R28 is in fact only a "middle of the grid" car.

"At this moment I do not know if we're in a position to get closer to the other teams," Alonso, 26, is quoted as saying by the Spanish newspaper AS.

"I don't think we can go much better at Silverstone. There have been races at which we seem to have improved but then the car is slow in the race with a lot of fuel.

"In the British grand prix, we will go into the points and not much further," he added.

Alonso, meanwhile, seems to maintain his position that Renault should consider abandoning the R28 to concentrate fully on the 2009 car.

He said continuing to develop the aerodynamics of the current single seater will deliver only "two tenths" by the last race of the season.