Alonso satisfied despite his spin

McLaren-Honda took advantage of the mixed conditions during qualifying for the Hungarian Grand Prix to place its two MP4-31s in the top ten, a first in two years. While Jenson Button took eighth position, Fernando Alonso set the seventh fastest time in Q3 despite a spin that almost cost Nico Rosberg pole (Mercedes) and which prevented the other drivers from improving their times.

“I braked late at turn 6. I had to cut the chicane and lost a lot of time, explains the double world champion. I wanted to recover the lost time and I probably pushed too much in turns 8 and 9 and I spun. It was a bit frustrating because I think I could have gained a few tenths. I admit it was my fault, but I'm still happy with seventh place. I will start on the clean side of the track. I have remained seventh since the start of the weekend and I intend to progress in the race. »

Despite this mistake made in qualifying, Fernando Alonso doesn't think he could have achieved a much better result.

“Perhaps I could have beaten Carlos (Sainz Jr) and find myself on the same line as Sebastian (Hag), admits the McLaren driver, But it's only an hypothesis. We have to take a lot of risks when playing on a drying track with slick tires. The others didn't have to take as many risks because they are focused on the Championship and it was a little easier for us. »

Fernando Alonso now hopes to compete in a race on a dry track that would match the settings of his MP4-31.

“The cars are fully tuned for dry, confirms the Spaniard. We played in the dry throughout the weekend and it was only 45 minutes before the start of qualifying that the dark clouds arrived on the circuit. This rain was rather unexpected. »

Hungarian Grand Prix qualifying results