Fernando Alonso says he was 'guaranteed' a podium and could even have fought for victory had he not sustained significant damage in the first corner chaos in Singapore.

Alonso made an excellent getaway from eighth on the grid but found himself caught up in a clash between Max Verstappen and Kimi Raikkonen.

The Spaniard tried to continue but was forced to retire a few laps later after slipping down the pecking order.

Alonso was left to rue the incident after the race, insisting it cost him a sensational podium.

"The car was completely destroyed on the left side, and it was almost a miracle we could continue after that hit," he explained.

"In the end we had to retire which is shame because we had high hopes for this race.

"I think we would even be leading now because Hamilton was behind me in Turn 1, so if Hamilton is leading now it means we would be leading.

"Sometimes things work out and sometimes they don't. When we start last because of penalties or we change the engine, usually 20 cars finish.

"Now we are good here and with the rain – I think the podium was guaranteed or maybe we would be even fighting for victory – everything happened."

McLaren did manage to pick up six points courtesy of Alonso's team-mate Stoffel Vandoorne.