Fernando Alonso feels McLaren had the pace to make the final qualifying session for the Chinese Grand Prix.
The Spaniard was eliminated from qualifying at the Shanghai International Circuit in Q2, setting the 12st fastest time of the session.
Nico Hulkenberg parked his Force India late in the session after it lost a wheel, bringing out the red flag and preventing Alonso from completing his final lap.
"I think both Jenson and I could have got through to Q3 today: we had the pace, and we had been saving tyres and engine ready to go for it, until the red flag ended the session," he explained.
"It was massively frustrating not to be able to complete my final lap in Q2 – there really was a lot of potential in the car today.
"Let’s put it into further perspective: not too many races ago, we were just making it into Q2, now we’re frustrated not to be in Q3. That’s definitely a good direction in which to be heading."
His team-mate Jenson Button was also disappointed after finishing 13th quickest: "Like a few others, we were caught out by the Q2 red flag, which was frustrating.
"Being just outside the top 10 has its positive side though: we can choose our starting tyre, and there are plenty of options with the three different compounds.
"The damp patch in Q1 was a little bit scary on slick tyres – I think a lot of people therefore kept their DRS closed, which is what we did. And, by the way, in the next few races, we will get through to Q3."
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