Alonso planning 'maximum attack' after strong Singapore qualifying

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Just a day after McLaren formally announcing their split from engine partners Honda in 2018, Fernando Alonso and Stoffel Vandoorne delivered one of their best qualifying performances of the season for the Singapore Grand Prix.

Both of the team's cars made it through to Q3. Alonso will start Sunday's race from eighth place on the grid, with Vandoorne once place further back.

"We knew this circuit could have a good performance for our car," Alonso told Sky Sports F1 after qualifying.

"The aim is to be in the points with both cars tomorrow," he continued. "To do that we had to be in Q3 today with both cars. So let's say the first part of the job is done.

"We need to complete it tomorrow, but so far so good," he added. "The start and the first lap will dictate more or less the positions. So maximum attack at the start and first corner, and then after that hold the position!"

The chronic engine issues have always made it hard to determine how competitive the MCL32 is against the likes of Mercedes, Red Bull and Ferrari.

"It's difficult to tell," he said. "It's difficult to compare with anyone. For the last three years we were the only team having the Honda engines.

"I think in some circuits we had the impression that we're up there with the top teams in terms of chassis," Alonso continued.

"Some of the circuits maybe we feel we're a little behind. But next year for McLaren it's a good test - same engine as Red Bull will be the truth to see if the chassis is good or not."

"The engineers work everything, they simulate everything, so we believe we have a good car."

Alonso wants more information before signing new contract

Alonso was also asked about his future at McLaren and in Formula 1, and when a decision might be made and announced.

"I think in the next couple of weeks," he said. "First I have to concentrate on this weekend. I know that there were some announcements yesterday for the team, big news.

"But I think I need to go through with the team what the prospects are for next year, the expectations in terms of car performance, in terms of engine performance.

"After that I make the decision. But obviously I'm extremely happy with the team," he insisted. "Even in the last three years, we've been struggling for results but I was happy.

The team has the talent, the determination, the facilities - everything is there to be competitive so hopefully we have some positive news soon."

Alonso added that having a team mate of Vandoorne's calibre is also important to the team's future prospects.

"Stability is good. It's good that he's now competitive but still behind!" he laughed. "Obviously we need to keep working together. We saw at Spa with some slipstreaming work, Monza as well, maybe some more in the near future at the next races.

"The team, the atmosphere - everything is great, so hopefully we have some positive news for next year to keep that stability."

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Andrew Lewin

Andrew first became a fan of Formula 1 during the time when Michael Schumacher and Damon Hill were stepping into the limelight after the era of Alain Prost, Nigel Mansell and Aryton Senna. He's been addicted ever since, and has been writing about the sport now for nearly a quarter of a century for a number of online news sites. He's also written professionally about GP2 (now Formula 2), GP3, IndyCar, World Rally Championship, MotoGP and NASCAR. In his other professional life, Andrew is a freelance writer, social media consultant, web developer/programmer, and digital specialist in the fields of accessibility, usability, IA, online communities and public sector procurement. He worked for many years in magazine production at Bauer Media, and for over a decade he was part of the digital media team at the UK government's communications department. Born and raised in Essex, Andrew currently lives and works in south-west London.