Fernando Alonso says he expected to be behind both Red Bull cars in qualifying, but was surprised to see the McLaren of Lewis Hamilton ahead of him.
The Spaniard looked as though he had the pace to challenge Red Bull, but in the end he was three to four tenths back, securing fourth spot on the grid which he described as a ‘very good position’ to be in.
“We said yesterday we were between two and four tenths behind Red Bull, and we are,” he said.
“Hamilton did very well today,” added Alonso. “Yesterday maybe they were testing some new parts or whatever, and they were not so good in the times at the end, but they were very competitive, and today they showed it.
“No surprises, I think. To be fourth is a very good position for us, and in the race tomorrow maybe with the rain, anything can happen, so we will attack for sure.”
If it rains on Sunday, as it is expected to do so, the 29-year-old says the race will be about finishing on the podium, which he’s confident of doing.
“Tomorrow there is a forecast for rain, and if that’s true, I think the race is very open. You never know what can happen in a wet race.
“It’s the same for everybody. It’s a race to survive tomorrow if it’s wet. We need to finish the race, and I’m sure it will be a podium.”
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