Jan.15 (GMM) Fernando Alonso on Tuesday took his first step towards securing a third Renault-powered drivers' title, by going quickest of all on his testing return with the French team at Jerez.

On his first day of driving action since the Brazilian grand prix with McLaren last October, the 26-year-old Spaniard headed the field of thirteen wearing a new helmet livery that features depictions of two 'ace' cards -- one for each of his titles in '05 and '06.

Alonso, a deft hand at card and minor magic tricks, completed 70 laps at the wheel of last year's R27 with a best lap of 1.19.503; marginally quicker than Pedro de la Rosa's new McLaren, and a few tenths ahead of Kimi Raikkonen's best lap of Monday with the F2008 Ferrari.

Alonso will get his hands on Renault's new car next week.

"I was a bit tentative to begin with because it has been a long time since I have driven an F1 car, but I could not wait to start working with the team," he said at Jerez.

"Of course, this was the first time that I have driven without traction control, but towards the end of my runs I started to gradually take a few more risks with the car," Alonso added.