Alonso targets P5 in Monaco

Fernando Alonso does not expect McLaren to challenge for a surprise result at the Monaco Grand Prix, despite the circuit's levelling qualities. Although the power deficit suffered by the Renault engine is negated in Monte Carlo, Alonso expects Formula 1's big three teams will remain out of reach.

Alonso skipped last year's race in Monaco in order to race the Indianapolis 500 and he believes this year's cars will be five seconds per lap quicker than his last appearance in the principality.

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Although surprises have been seen in Monaco in the past, Olivier Panis and Jarno Trulli both took their sole F1 victories in this race, however it has been won by teams at the top of F1 in recent years, with Ferrari, Mercedes and Red Bull sharing the last eight wins between them.

And Alonso anticipates the big three will once again have the run of things this year.

"There are not many surprises here. It's never a place that we had a midfield team winning a race or a small team winning a race, or doing the pole position," said Alonso.

"There's always a lot of expectations in Monaco, but then there's a Red Bull, Mercedes or Ferrari on pole position, and three of these six drivers are on the podium in the last editions.

"So I think it's going to be quite similar this year again.

"I think it's quite difficult to make a surprise, but it's quite easy to make a mistake. So it's a weekend that's important in all the aspects, to execute it well."

Alonso made Q3 for the first time in 2018 last time out in Barcelona, with McLaren struggling for one-lap pace so far this year, although Monaco could play more into their hands.

"This is a race that 99 per cent is on Saturday. I think last year the car was quite strong here. Stoffel was P6 in Q1, P7 in Q2. So I think the P7 was possible last year," added Alonso.

"Around P5 to P10 should be our target, to be in Q3 with both cars will be I think the target this weekend, but it's difficult to predict right now."