Alonso engine issue under investigation

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Jumping from the frying pan into the fire, Fernando Alonso endured a botched qualifying session, at least in terms of track time, as the Spaniard only a few hundred meters before calling it a day.

Alonso stopped at the top of Eau Rouge in Q1 with a power unit problem, which was rotten luck for the McLaren driver although he was already due to start at the back of the grid following more component changes on the Honda engine.

"We need to investigate what happened," Alonso said.

"We saw a problem at the end of FP3 but didn't have time before qualifying to do a proper investigation. We did only 500 meters so there was definitely something really wrong.

"We have time now, probably to even change the power unit again, we start last anyway so we need to make sure we finish the race without any problems."

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Alonso will start tomorrow's race with Lewis Hamilton at his side, and joked tongue in cheek that he had at least beaten the defending world champion in terms of grid penalties.

Despite his limited running and reliability issue, Alonso was confident progress on the power front was moving along.

"I only did four laps today so I don't really have a compare but I think we're moving in the right direction.

"It's painful when you have this problem but at the end of the day it's all part of our improving process.

"We need to understand what is too fragile on the power unit and make sure that next year we have an engine that s capable of fighting for the championship. But let's see how we end up this weekend."

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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.