Fernando Alonso admitted the McLaren-Honda Formula 1 Team were just not quick enough during qualifying to advance to Q3 for the United States Grand Prix, but feels from where he will be starting on the grid, he will be able to attack for points.
The Spaniard will start twelfth on the grid but with a free choice of starting tyre, but feels that he will have to raise his game and use some clever strategy calls to try and ensure his weekend at the Circuit of the Americas closes out with a points finish.
“We weren’t quick enough to make it into Q3 today, and we were lacking some rhythm too,” said Alonso. “Having said that, getting the car into Q3 in ninth or tenth but then having to start the race on used Supersoft tyres would be a problem, as other cars would catch us easily after four or five laps owing to the degradation. So, let’s say that 11th for us would have been pole position and 12th is second-best. We’ll start on new tyres and we’ll be able to attack.
“It seems like all the Mercedes-powered teams here got an extra boost and are more competitive, which has made life a little more difficult for us. If we want to score some points in the race tomorrow we need to raise our game and find a clever way.”
