London: Renault's Fernando Alonso had the Canadian Grand Prix on his 'to do' list before the start of the season.
By Sunday night, the 24-year-old Formula One champion hopes to have placed a tick against Montreal as a race well won - just as he did with the previous three in Barcelona, Monaco and Silverstone.
The Circuit Gilles Villeneuve represents a rare challenge for the Spaniard who has finished only once there in four attempts and has yet to stand on the podium in North America.
Last year's race, when Alonso made an uncharacteristic error and hit the concrete wall at the exit of the final chicane while in the lead, was his last failure to finish a race.
Plenty of champions have paid the price in Montreal and Alonso knows there is a risk of his amazing run of 14 successive podiums coming to an end.
Yet the Spaniard's driving has been so outstanding this season, with 74 points from a possible 80, that it is hard not to bet on him handing tyre suppliers Michelin a landmark 100th grand prix victory.
Alonso has a commanding 23-point lead over Ferrari's Michael Schumacher and sees no reason why he should not keep on winning.
"I think last year we were competitive, 2004 as well. In 2003 I did the fastest lap in the race," he said.
"It has always been a very good circuit for Renault and this year I am really looking forward to it and trying to win. I have never been on the podium in Canada or Indianapolis and in these two races I will really push."
Schumacher can make history in Canada as the first driver to win the same grand prix eight times.
The seven times world champion, winner twice this year, believes he has a good chance at a 'stop-and-go' circuit named after the late Ferrari great Gilles Villeneuve.
Even last year, when Ferrari were in the doldrums, he finished second.
"We have every reason to be optimistic," Schumacher said on his website.
"Our car has lived up to all of our expectations so far and we have improved it continuously...We're ready to go and want to do well in Canada. And I see no reason whatsoever why we shouldn't."
McLaren's Kimi Raikkonen, last year's winner in Montreal, is still looking for his team's first victory of the season and Alonso may find that his own Italian team mate Giancarlo Fisichella represents a greater threat.
The Roman has no pressure, with Renault having just renewed his contract for 2007 to ensure continuity after Alonso leaves for McLaren, and has always gone well in Montreal.
"I want to carry on where I left off last year, at the front of the field," said Fisichella, who led last year's race before being stopped by an hydraulics failure.
"I have been on the podium four times in Canada -- twice in third, and twice in second. So there's only one place missing from my record."
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