Tyres "a big issue" for McLaren - Alonso

Although the team scored its second double-points finish of the season in the Monte Carlo race, both Alonso and teammate Jenson Button admitted that their performance had not been as strong as expected, especially on a circuit where engine power is not so vital.

Alonso finished in fifth place but, having started from 10th on the grid, the Spaniard said McLaren needs to improve the way it manages its tyres.

"Tyres were quite a big issue for us," said Alonso. "They are not switching on properly. That is quite a big thing for qualifying performance.

"It is true the driver has a bigger input but it [Monaco] is a specific circuit with specific needs: driveability, downforce, but downforce that doesn't work at other circuits because it is not efficient.

"We need to work and improve."

Button, who finished in ninth, also said that getting the tyres to work was difficult, especially while trying to avoid altering the car's balance.

"We feel the weaknesses in balance. But if you try and work with the set-up and improve in one, you take away from another," he said.

"We've had the car in a reasonable place most of the weekend but we're playing with something which isn't as quick as a Red Bull.

"We've struggled a lot with understeer, especially in low-speed corners. Just can't get the tyres into the ground. It you play with that, you can hurt other areas."