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Formula One world championship leader Fernando Alonso believes the Canadian Grand Prix will be Ferrari's biggest test since the start of the season.
World Formula One leader Fernando Alonso believes this weekend's Canadian Grand Prix will reveal Ferrari's potential to sustain their fight for world championship glory.
The Italian team struggled during winter testing and were a long way off the pace at the season-opening race in Melbourne.
In spite of this and in conjunction with the memorable start to the season - in which six different drivers have won the opening six races - double-champion Alonso picked up a win in Malaysia and podiums in Spain and Monaco.
The Spaniard holds a three-point lead over Red Bull drivers Sebastian Vettel and Australian Mark Webber.
The 30-year-old admitted the Montreal track will be Ferrari's biggest test since the start of the season, but believes they have done enough to stay competitive.
"I think we have improved the car in these areas since the beginning of the season and Canada will be a good test in this respect," he said.
"Hopefully this weekend, we will see a competitive Ferrari and that will be very important for us, not just for this race but also for the rest of the season.
"It's hard to say in advance, as this season has been so unpredictable, with ups and downs for everyone over the course of six races.
"However, I don't see any reason why Ferrari should not be competitive in Canada, fighting for the top places come the end of the race."
Despite leading the title race, Alonso believes Ferrari still have a lot of catching up to do.
He said: "Leading the championship is only the beginning. It's a starting point because the ultimate target is leading the championship after the final race in Brazil in November.
"It's a long championship and the first six races brought us enough points to be in the lead, but we are well aware that we have to improve.
"We need to make the car faster, working hard, while making no mistakes and finding consistency, which is not the easiest thing to do in this championship."
In contrast, Brazilian teammate Felipe Massa has had a difficult time in the other Ferrari, only managing two top-10 finishes.
The 30-year-old insisted he was feeling more positive after a stronger performance in Monaco two weeks ago and hopes he can carry the momentum to the Montreal track.
However, Massa did admit that he was not happy with his start to the season and insisted he would be doing everything he could to improve his performance.
"I definitely feel more confident now," he said.
Last year's Canadian Grand Prix winner, Jenson Button, said he felt extremely proud returning to the track he hailed as his greatest win.
But the McLaren driver insisted he would be focusing on his qualifying pace after starting the last two races in 10th and 12th position.