Fernando Alonso says his retirement from the British Grand Prix at Silverstone was “less painful” than others, because he does not think a top 10 result was possible.
Engine component changes left the Spaniard with a 30-place grid penalty, meaning the McLaren driver lined up last for the race.
He steadily made up ground through the early stages, but a fuel pressure problem on lap 35 cost him a race finish.
His team-mate Stoffel Vandoorne finished just outside the top 10, so Alonso believes nabbing a point or two was not possible at Silverstone.
“It was a difficult weekend for us, starting last with the penalties; then in the race, when I was following a group of cars, I had another issue,” he said.
“Hopefully, it hasn’t done any damage to the engine and we’ll be able to keep using it in the future.
“Stoffel was 11th, so I think we weren’t quick enough to be in the points and I think I could have ended up 13th or 14th, so the retirement is a little bit less painful than it would be if we’d lost a points finish.
“Now I’m looking ahead to Hungary, which should be a better weekend for us.”
