Fernando Alonso has called on McLaren to take some strategic risks during the Singapore Grand Prix, saying the team has “nothing to lose”.
Following disappointing races in Belgium and Italy, McLaren has been more competitive around the Marina Bay Circuit and Alonso will start 12th with team-mate Jenson Button in 15th place. While Alonso says the race represents McLaren’s “best chance of the year to score points”, he is wary of finding it difficult to overtake on track and feels positions will need to be gained through pit stops.
“I think it’s very unlikely that we will see overtaking moves,” Alonso said. “Probably the best opportunity is the start and the first lap in to Turn 7 but it’s still quite tough. The strategy and the laps you choose to change tyres will be crucial so we have to be very clever on that.
“Maybe we are in a position where we can take extra risks in terms of strategy because we have nothing to lose so I am optimistic for that.”
And Alonso says McLaren has had to show its full potential throughout practice to ensure it gets the most out of its car at each race.
“Yeah I like [Singapore] and I think the results of the weekend are showing that I like the place. I’m happy, comfortable in the car. The free practice for us are different compared to the other teams that have a little bit more potential and use it when it counts. For us we try to optimise what we have and every lap in practice for us is a qualifying lap or a race simulation lap, it’s not a practice lap, because we didn’t have winter testing.
“I think now we have the same mileage of the Mercedes team going to Australia. So every lap is a learning process that we are going through and in practice the results were probably too optimistic but we probably still have the best chance of the year to score points, so I’m looking forward to the race.”
REPORT: Vettel storms to Singapore pole as Mercedes dominance ends
AS IT HAPPENED: Singapore Grand Prix qualifying
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