Alonso calls on McLaren for qualifying fix

While Fernando Alonso has been content with the initial McLaren package with Renault engines in race trim, the two-time Formula 1 world champion is demanding the same from its qualifying package to fight further up the grid.

Alonso currently sits fourth in the early F1 world drivers’ championship thanks two top seven results in the 2018 opening races but has had to battle through the pack after qualifying outside of the top 10 in both Australia and Bahrain.

The Spanish driver feels McLaren will be in a stronger position to regularly fight at the front of the midfield and against the top three teams with a better grid slot and accepts that will only happen when he can reach the Q3 pole position shootout in qualifying.

“For us, consistency has to be the key,” Alonso said. “We’ve been able to pull everything together on a Sunday so far – a combination of both hard work and good fortune – but we haven’t given ourselves the best chances on Saturday, so it’s important we pull the whole package together.

“It won’t happen overnight, but we know where our issues lie and we know that we need to work hard to overcome them as soon as possible.”

With a limited upgrade package expected for China immediately after the back-to-back race in Bahrain last week, Alonso accepts McLaren may face a similar challenge in qualifying for Shanghai but as a two-time F1 race winner in China he is relishing the upcoming round.

“In the meantime, we’ll be pushing hard in China, as always, and continue our fight to the front of the midfield pack,” he said. “After a couple of positive results, I’m excited. Turn 1 in Shanghai is one of the best corners of the calendar and it’s a great track to race on for a driver.”

Alonso last won in China in 2013 during his time with Ferrari while he also won the 2005 Chinese Grand Prix with Renault.