Fernando Alonso: I didn't expect more from this qualifying in China

For Fernando Alonso, the fifth and sixth places on the grid obtained today in qualifying for the Chinese Grand Prix represent the maximum for Ferrari in these conditions.

Fernando Alonso: “I didn't expect much more from this qualifying. Fifth and sixth places represent the maximum we could aspire to in these conditions. We already knew about Red Bull and McLaren, here we also saw an improvement from Mercedes so the situation was even more difficult. We are trying to improve our performance: we are a great team and we know how to react. Yesterday we tried some new solutions but it is still early to use them in the race: we hope to make an important step forward in Turkey. I want to give a ten to the team for how they managed qualifying in these first three races: it is always very difficult to find the compromise between the need to take risks and the need to be cautious and we have already seen several mistakes which have cost certain drivers dearly in these three sessions. At this moment we don't have to invent anything but, rather, do simple things. I believe that the podium is still within our reach: this year there are more variables, such as tire degradation and the use of the mobile rear wing, which come into play in the race, as seen in the first two Grands Prix. Tomorrow the temperatures could be a little higher than today: we'll see if anything changes but I don't think it will. The strategy will be very important for the final placement.”