McLaren-Honda's Fernando Alonso says his moment through the gravel on the opening lap at the Spanish Grand Prix did not cost him a points finish, with the MCL32 lacking pace to contend for the top 10.
Alonso secured McLaren's first Q3 appearance of the season in Spain by setting the seventh quickest lap, but went wide on the opening lap following contact with Felipe Massa, and was sent through the gravel as a result.
Alonso dropped down the order and eventually finished in 12th position, the first time he has reached the chequered flag this season.
"The race didn’t go as we’d planned," he said.
"We were a little bit unlucky with the contact in Turn 2with Felipe and then we were behind Daniil [Kvyat] for too many laps in the mid part of the race, but even without that I think we didn’t have the race pace to be in the points today to be honest.
"I’m a little disappointed, but at least we finished the race, and hopefully this is the first sign of a step forward in reliability. We now need to prepare better the next Grand Prix."
Alonso will head straight to Indianapolis for Monday's opening practice session for the 500.
With Sauber scoring points, courtesy of eighth for Pascal Wehrlein, McLaren is the only team yet to register a top 10 finish this season.
