Alonso upbeat about future despite slow start

By Julian Linden

MELBOURNE (Reuters) - Fernando Alonso did his best to put a positive spin on his disappointing return to Renault at the Australian Grand Prix on Saturday.

After being near the front of the grid for most of the past four seasons, the former two-time world champion had to settle for a place in the middle of the pack.

He qualified 12th fastest for Sunday's season-opening race but will start from 11th after Toyota's Timo Glock dropped back five places for changing a gearbox.

Alonso won the Australian Grand Prix in 2006 and finished on the podium in 2004, 2005 and 2007 but said he was setting his sights a lot lower this year.

"With the starting position, aiming for points will be our target," he told reporters.

"We have to be realistic. We are not quite ready yet but we will try to improve our position.

"It was not a great result but we'll try to do our best in the race."

Alonso won the world title with Renault in 2005 and 2006 before switching to McLaren last season but knows his prospects of a triumphant return to the French team this year are gloomy.