No clear reason for McLaren under-performance - Alonso

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Fernando Alonso is at a loss to explain McLaren's sudden loss of pace in Montreal but the Spaniard remains confident points can be salvaged on race day.

After performing reasonably well in yesterday's free practice sessions, the Woking-based outfit's MCL33 clearly lost momentum overnight.

McLaren should have benefited from its updated Renault engine, and while that indeed appeared to be the case initially, in Q2 Alonso and Stoffel Vandoorne were nearly 0.5s adrift from the closest other Renault-powered car, with both drivers missing the cut to Q1 by a country mile.

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"We knew that this could be a difficult circuit for us," said a rather undisturbed Alonso.

"Yesterday we felt quite competitive, the car was feeling right and we were fast. Unfortunately today we were not competitive, already we felt it in FP3 and we confirmed it in qualifying.

"We'll see tomorrow, there's nothing we can change now. Hopefully with a good start and good strategy, the points are still possible. That's the clear target for tomorrow."

Asked why the MCL33's pace had suddenly decreased compared to its relative performance two weeks ago in Monaco, Alonso struggled to offer a clear answer.

"I's difficult to explain, the performance has been up and down for everybody, not only for us. Sometimes we try to analyse as much as we can and it's difficult to get a clear answer.

"I think Monaco especially is a very specific circuit, and if we were more competitive there it doesn't count.

"We know our weakness and we know we have to improve. Today is disappointing but the race is tomorrow and the points are given tomorrow so let's attack!"

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Phillip van Osten

Motor racing was a backdrop from the outset in Phillip van Osten's life. Born in Southern California, Phillip grew up with the sights and sounds of fast cars thanks to his father, Dick van Osten, an editor and writer for Auto Speed and Sport and Motor Trend. Phillip's passion for racing grew even more when his family moved to Europe and he became acquainted with the extraordinary world of Grand Prix racing. He was an early contributor to the monthly French F1i Magazine, often providing a historic or business perspective on Formula 1's affairs. In 2012, he co-authored along with fellow journalist Pierre Van Vliet the English-language adaptation of a limited edition book devoted to the great Belgian driver Jacky Ickx. He also authored "The American Legacy in Formula 1", a book which recounts the trials and tribulations of American drivers in Grand Prix racing. Phillip is also a commentator for Belgian broadcaster Be.TV for the US Indycar series.