Fernando Alonso: McLaren’s upgrade package ‘a step forward’

McLaren driver Fernando Alonso says the team’s upgrade package introduced at the Spanish Grand Prix is a "step forward", as the squad strives to move up the grid.

McLaren has lacked pace over one-lap in 2018, failing to make it out of Q2, but has scored points in each Grand Prix, and holds fourth place in the Constructors’ Championship.

McLaren introduced a sizeable update package at the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya, with the most prominent feature the amended nose section of the MCL33.

Alonso placed 12th in the second practice session and explained that “seen from the inside, the upgrades we brought here are a step forward.

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“There is more performance in the car – it felt better and there was more grip. Conditions were tricky today with the hot temperatures and especially the wind; we saw a lot of people going off track and I think it’s going to be the same tomorrow. 

“It has been a positive Friday and we’ve tested everything we brought here.

“There’s still some debate about some of the parts, but we seem to be a little bit more competitive here than any of the other Fridays this season.”

McLaren team-mate Stoffel Vandoorne finished in ninth position and added “the first feeling was positive today – it’s still too early to read anything as the midfield still looks really tight, but I think tomorrow will be the day that counts.

“The results today looked quite promising, but until we’ve pushed everything to the limit we won’t know exactly where we are.

“We need to understand everything we’ve learned today, put the car in the best specification possible and see what result it brings.

“I hope this is the start of continuous progression, and that we can build our season from here.”