Fernando Alonso admits McLaren face a tough task to get into the top 10 in Qualifying should it be dry after separate niggles hampered running in Practice on Friday at Interlagos.
The double world champion was P10 in both sessions in Brazil but faces a steep challenge to maintain it with the likes of Renault, Williams and Force India all in a close group for the final four places behind the top three teams.
Following just his third points result of the season in Mexico, the Spaniard had believed points would be “guaranteed” in Brazil if the British team had a trouble-free weekend, but that would not be the case.
“This Friday was more difficult than what we wanted,” he said. “In FP1 we had some issues with the car’s suspension, in FP2 we also had problems with the oil or fuel pressure on the engine, so we lost important minutes while they rectified the issue.
“In general we adapted our program, prioritised some items of the program for today so we’re prepared for tomorrow.”
One ally Alonso would like to call on is the weather, which would negate much of the Honda power deficit in Sector 1 and Sector 3 but, as was proven on Friday, that help isn’t guaranteed.
“Today there was rain on the forecast and it didn’t rain; tomorrow the forecast is again for rain, so let’s see if it rains and then on Sunday the race will be in the dry,” the 36-year-old said playing the weatherman.
“If tomorrow is dry like today, it will be tough to get into Q3, there’s a good number of candidates fighting to get there and we are among them. It will be hard, but if we get there, then there’s a possibility to fight for something better with the cars that are around us.”