Alonso says McLaren updates have worked despite Q2 exit
Fernando Alonso says all the updates introduced by McLaren and Honda for the Spanish Grand Prix have worked as expected, despite the team not getting close to Q3 in today's qualifying.
Alonso was quickest of the McLaren drivers in 13th, but was again knocked out in Q2 after finishing nine tenth of a second off the 10th fastest time.
Teammate Jenson Button made it into Q2 for the first time this year, qualifying right behind Alonso.
Despite the results, the Spanish driver insists McLaren continues to make progress.
"Yeah, everything has worked again," Alonso said of the updates. "The biggest updates for this race were on the engine side and they have worked as expected.
"We know there's a long way to go, but the team's work is excellent.
"It [the result] was more or less as expected. We need to take another step if we want to be in Q3.
"It's the first time this season that both cars are in Q2, which is still a very low goal because we want to win and be on pole, but you have to go step by step.
"And it's been confirmed again here that are moving in the right direction."
Alonso said it would be nice to finish in the points tomorrow, but admitted it would not mean much.
"Finishing ninth or tenth will not change my life. I want to win and be world champion," he added.
"If the first points come here, they will be welcome but I think our goal is much higher than tomorrow's race."
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