F1: Qualifying Form A Surprise, Says Alonso

Formula 1

F1: Qualifying Form A Surprise, Says Alonso

Ferrari driver expected more in Singapore...

Adam Cooper | http://www.speedtv.com | Posted September 22, 2012 Marina Bay (SGP)

Fernando Alonso of Spain and Ferrari prepares to drive during qualifying for the Singapore Formula One Grand Prix at the Marina Bay Street Circuit. (Photo: Getty Images)

Fernando Alonso admits he’s surprised to have ended up as low as fifth on the grid in Singapore, and especially with the time gap to pole man Lewis Hamilton.

Alonso looked more competitive yesterday than when it mattered in qualifying today.

“We were not happy with the performance of the car this weekend,” said the Ferrari driver. “We were expecting much more, fighting closely with the top teams. But we found ourselves too slow already from yesterday, and today 1.5seconds from pole position, so this is probably a bad surprise this weekend.

“But nothing we can do now other than concentrate on the race and score as many points as possible tomorrow. Anyway the average position for me this year in qualifying is sixth. I’m fifth so more or less it’s the same, or even better. So let’s say it has been a good Saturday so far in a way.

“We need to maximize points tomorrow, finish the race, which is not that easy here. It’s very demanding for the mechanical side, suspension, temperatures, brakes, gearbox, everything will be struggling tomorrow, apart from concentration from a driver point of view. If someone wins the race who is much faster than us, we congratulate them, and we think for the next one.”

Alonso remains hopeful that he can consolidate his championship lead on Sunday.

“I think we cannot win with the pace we have now, but we are fighting for a World Championship. Our main opponents, we have two in front, two behind, Kimi Raikkonen and Mark Webber behind and Sebastian Vettel and Lewis Hamilton in front. We see if we can finish in front of three of them at least tomorrow.”

Adam Cooper notched up his 27th season as a racing journalist in 2011. He has written about F1 for SPEED.com since 2005. Follow him on Twitter.