Retiring from the British Grand Prix was  "less painful" for Fernando Alonso due to the grid penalties destroying his hopes for points, the Spaniard has claimed.

Despite setting the 13th best time in qualifying, new engine components meant the McLaren driver dropped to the back for Sunday's race and left to rely on external factors, such as rain or high attrition, to make progress.

Neither would happen and ultimately the double world champion suffered his fifth official retirement and seventh race where he didn't see the chequered flag.

“Unfortunately we had another issue today, with the fuel pump, I think, which hopefully didn't make any damage to the engine and we can keep using it," Alonso said revealing what caused him to return to the pits.

"It was a difficult weekend with the penalties and starting last,” he added in reflection. "We were following a group of cars, [but] we were not in the points, so let's say the DNF today was a little less painful because we were not able to take points."

For team-mate Stoffel Vandoorne, still yet to score in his first full F1 season, the Belgian had a reasonable chance to change that at Silverstone starting eighth.

However, as Daniel Ricciardo and Valtteri Bottas made their way past from behind, Felipe Massa would be the final driver to end those aspirations dropping the 25-year-old down to 11th.

"It's a shame not to score points today, because our pace was pretty strong, considering the circuit," the former GP2 champion claimed. "But there are plenty of positives to take from the weekend.

"I think the qualifying session was good, and also in the race, to finish so close to both Force Indias and a Williams shows encouraging progress."