Fernando Alonso claimed McLaren would have locked out the front row for the Belgian Grand Prix if they had more power from the Honda engine, despite a somewhat better-than-expected result in qualifying.
The Spaniard just missed out on Q3 in 11th and could well have made it into the top 10 had it not been for a peculiar issue which saw his ERS system not deploy any hybrid power on the exit of Pouhon his final run, after Alonso had taken the corner flat out and confused the engine program as to the car’s location on the track.
That problem left the double world champion particularly frustrated as he yelled “no power” down the radio and abandoned his lap although more broadly he was relatively pleased.
“We would have liked to be there but in general it was a very positive day,” Alonso claimed. “In Q2, until the final attempt, we were 1.5 seconds off on a track where we know how much we are losing with the engine, so we would easily be in first and second positions.
“The battery didn’t work and I lost six-tenths from Turn 11 to 12,” he added, explaining the problem. “I was two-tenths quicker than on the previous lap so I would have improved one or two more in the final sector, so we would have been in Q3 without any problems.
“In the end starting 11th with new tyres maybe gives us an extra opportunity, so we’ll try to take advantage tomorrow.”
Another tactic that allowed McLaren to be more competitive saw the team use Stoffel Vandoorne, who was already guaranteed to start at the back due to a mammoth engine grid penalty, to provide a slipstream for his teammate on the run to Eau Rouge and along the Kemmel Straight and it worked well with his top speed not far off those at the front.
“We had it planned. Next week it will be the other way around because it’s my turn,” Alonso said, also referring to the likelihood of him picking up engine penalties at Monza.
“We were trying to take advantage of the penalties. We have to find a positive and try to do the best for the team.”