Fernando Alonso says qualifying at the Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez proved "more difficult than expected" but the Alpine charger was nevertheless pleased with his ninth-place result.
Alonso negotiated well the first two segments of the Saturday afternoon session and executed his final run in Q3 on a clear track, which positioned him just behind McLaren's Lando Norris, Alpine's championship rival, in the pecking order.
"It was a little bit more difficult than expected today but we are still quite pleased to be in ninth position on the grid for tomorrow’s race," commented the Spaniard.
"It’s good we are on the clean side of the grid and just behind Lando.
"In general, I didn’t feel that fast and struggled with the balance of the car. I was tenth in Q2 and so I think ninth was potentially our maximum today.
"With the unique temperatures and altitude of this race, we can’t take anything for granted. That’s the same for everyone this weekend and we’ll do our best to take points at the chequered flag."
Alpine still holds an eleven-point lead versus McLaren in the Constructors' standings in which the two teams are battling for fourth.
Esteban Ocon's presence among the top ten, just behind his team and ahead of Daniel Ricciardo on the grid, means both Alpines will be fiercely fighting their McLaren rival on Sunday, and the Frenchman says he's ready "for all possibilities".
"It’s a good team qualifying result with both Fernando and I inside the top ten, which is always our minimum goal," said Ocon.
"We did well to maximise the potential of the car today even though I think there was a bit of performance left on the table in Q3 after a solid Q1 and Q2.
"Nevertheless, it’s all very close, we’re in the mix for points, and we know tomorrow will be a fight. We’ll need to be at our best as a team to come out with good points from the race.
"I know we’ll be ready for all possibilities."
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