Alonso solves "uncertainties" with top six Baku showing

Fernando Alonso believes a strong Friday showing at the Azerbaijan Grand Prix has solved some of the "uncertainties" his Alpine team suffered when its form slumped at the last race in Monaco.

Alonso and team-mate Esteban Ocon suffered a lacklustre race weekend last time out after strong showings in Portugal and Spain had boosted belief that the team could mix it with the high-end of the midfield.

However, Alonso's sixth fastest time in Friday's practice in Baku, three ahead of Ocon, has left the Spaniard confident that the team's true potential has now been confirmed.

"It was a good Friday," said the two-time world champion. "Obviously, on a street circuit, you have to build the confidence, you need a clean Friday in FP1 and FP2 and do as many laps as possible.

"I think we hit the target number of laps, we completed the programme. I think there is some potential to unlock in the car tonight and go faster tomorrow but so far I am happy with how the weekend has started.

"We came here with some uncertainties after Monaco. We struggled there and this is another street circuit so we had to check if we were in a competitive weekend or not.

"It seems we are ok, it seems the car is working well so we are reasonably happy with that but you always want to fine tune the car and the balance so you can go quicker the next day.

"The aim is always to be in Q3 and try to be starting in the top 10. I think there is a chance to do that after today's potential so let's try to make a good Saturday."

Related

More F1 news

Latest F1 news

Lewis Hamilton issues Ferrari demand after missed Bahrain Grand Prix chance

• 1 hour ago

True cost of Williams F1 revival revealed as losses almost halved

• 2 hours ago

Why Lewis Hamilton keeps angering F1 rivals as FIA take action

• 3 hours ago

Christian Horner reveals why Adrian Newey relationship was never the same again

• Today 08:58

Zak Brown drops major hint over early McLaren arrival for Max Verstappen ally

• Today 08:05

Honda chief OUT as Aston Martin investment laid bare - F1 News Today

• Today 07:15