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Thursday statements

Fernando Alonso: «I hope that from here on a new chapter can open for McLaren, we still needed a small step to be able to get to the points in Bahrain. Obviously we are not where we would like to be, i.e. on the podium, but by taking one step at a time we can be competitive again. However, we will have to wait to evaluate our progress by looking at the updates from the other teams. We know that at the first European meeting everyone brings something new, it's just a matter of understanding who has taken the slightly more important step. My relationship with Ron Dennis is fantastic and I am happy to have the support of the whole team, starting from the managers. What matters is being happy with the work you do and ensuring that your discipline and professionalism are always at their best when you work within a team."

Daniel Kvyat: «So far the season hasn't turned out to be very simple. There were several complicated weekends for different reasons. I don't have a particular objective now, I just want to get the best out of the car and the new package and then evaluate the situation."

Felipe Nasr: «I'm quite satisfied with my season so far, it's been four positive races. We managed to maximize the opportunities that occurred during the weekends, but now I expect it to become more difficult. We know our limitations and we know what to do. I believe the team has prepared me well and I am ready to take the opportunities that come my way. Barcelona is a good stage to see where everyone is at: we have brought some updates but we don't know how important they could be before we can make a comparison with the other teams. Every point taken home will be very important for us, we'll see. We were in good shape in the tests, I'm anxiously waiting to see where we'll get to."

Roberto Mehri: «We didn't race in Melbourne, then in Malaysia – my first Grand Prix held – we managed to get to the finish line and I was very happy. I had never tried the circuits on which I have raced so far, they were a new experience for me, while I know the Barcelona track and I am confident in being able to bring home a good result and have a good race pace. I'm happy to be able to run my home race. The team is doing everything possible to bring the new car, but obviously it will still take some time. We only started construction two weeks before Melbourne but everyone is working well and I think it could be ready by August."

Carlos Sainz Jr.: «For me this is always a unique Grand Prix to compete. I remember when I came here for the first time, 10 years ago, to visit the immense paddock, meet important people and shake hands with my idol now sitting here on my left, Fernando Alonso, when he raced for Renault. That was an important experience that made me decide to pursue a career as a driver and one day enter the Formula One circus. Ten years later I am here, I have realized my dream and I have the chance to compete in my home Grand Prix. Here we have to work on the downforce, we know we have it, we have to understand how to use it best and see where the new updates will take us, aware that Red Bull and McLaren will have brought theirs."

Nico Rossberg: «In Bahrain I had a good race. I had a good feeling with the car and being able to overtake the reds gave me a good boost which I will use here in Barcelona. It's important to maximize your weekends, as I did twelve months ago before the summer break. So far I haven't succeeded, some things have worked, some haven't. I have to put everything together and try to get the most out of it from now on."

Matteo Bramati, Andrea Villa