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."

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