Alonso reckons Q3 and points 'achievable' for Alpine

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Fernando Alonso believes Alpine can put both its cars among the top ten in qualifying and on race day after a positive first day of running at the Red Bull Ring.

Alonso clocked in fifth at the end of Friday's afternoon session, but Esteban Ocon was an impressive third in FP2 behind pace setter Max Verstappen and McLaren's Daniel Ricciardo, a performance that bodes well for the remainder of Alpine's weekend in Styria.

"Yes, it was a good Friday for us and yes, we were expecting rain. It didn’t happen, so we were able to test our normal programme," commented Alonso.

"Happy with the tyres, happy with the car balance – we’re still to fine tune some corners to optimise the lap time – but it was a positive Friday and [I’m] confident for tomorrow.

Read also: Prost believes Alonso now 'back' to his best in F1

"Maybe… on Friday we look a bit more competitive than what we look on Saturday and Sunday, but the aim is to be in Q3 with both cars and in the points on Sunday with both cars.

"It seems achievable here, so let’s try to do it."

Although he was faster than his teammate in FP2, Ocon vowed to keep it real moving forward.

"It was pretty decent but it’s only Friday, so we need to stay focused and address a few things that we still have to work on," said the Frenchman who endured a difficult home race last week at Paul Ricard.

"I will be very happy if that’s where we are tomorrow, but we have to stay realistic and fight our way through still, so let’s see tomorrow.

"So definitely, it’s been a good day, but there’s plenty to look at, which is positive, because if you are stuck in a corner that’s never great news."

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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.