Alonso: McLaren ‘still underperforming a lot’

Fernando Alonso says McLaren-Honda is “still underperforming a lot” after neither he nor team-mate Jenson Button were able to make it to Q2 during qualifying for the Chinese Grand Prix.

Both world champions entered Saturday’s session with strong hopes of progressing through the opening phase of qualifying only to end up 0.2s shy of Daniil Kvyat’s 15^th fastest time.

Having hailed McLaren’s amazing progress on Friday, Alonso keeps a positive attitude following his team’s double Q1 exit but admits the end result is underwhelming.

“We always hope for Q2, especially after yesterday’s performance,” said the 33-year-old Spaniard. “But qualifying arrives, everyone gives their maximum and we were not quick enough today.

“We’re two tenths off Q2, so definitely a lot closer to the midfield and also closer to the top guys, so this a step forward. But we need to keep in this line because we’re still underperforming a lot with both cars out of Q1, hopefully for the last time.”

Although Alonso was forced to sit out FP3 and had a small moment on his final flying lap in Q1, the McLaren returnee reckons the second phase of qualifying remained out of reach for his MP4-30, no matter what.

“I was happy with the lap. Obviously I missed FP3, but even with that, qualifying was not a problem. That was a reasonable lap, a reasonable time.

“I lost a little bit in the exit (of Turn 13) with some correction but I gained on entry, entering a little bit quicker. So, in the end, the lap was good and I think this is the position we deserve.”

Having missed Melbourne’s season opener due to his pre-season crash and failed to reach the chequered flag in Malaysia, Alonso says his top target in Shanghai is now to complete his first grand prix distance in 2015.

“The main priority now is trying to finish the race and to learn things about the car and possible problems. Obviously in Malaysia with two DNFs for our two cars, this was not the ideal situation.

“So tomorrow the main priority is to finish the race. Whatever results are at the end, we will see. It will depend on our race but we need to finish the race.”

Click here for Chris Medland's qualifying report from Shanghai.  

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