Alpine must "pull it all together" for Alonso

Alpine team principal Otmar Szafnauer has insisted the team must "pull it all together" for Fernando Alonso after a frustrating start to the season.

The two-time champion has shown startling pace across the opening five races but remains stuck on just two points.

Mechanical issues forced Alonso out of the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix and also denied him a probable front-row start in Australia, whilst Mick Schumacher's spin at Imola damaged the A522 enough to force a retirement.

Alonso missed out on Q3 in Miami having been impeded on his fastest lap in the second segment of qualifying, before two separate incidents in the race led to two five-second penalties that denied him a points finish.

"He is absolutely fine," said Szafnauer.

"He is still pushing for more, as Fernando does.

"He should have started higher up again. He just missed out on Q3 by a little bit.

"We had the pace of [Valtteri] Bottas and [Lewis] Hamilton in qualifying, and then once you start there it's a different race.

"We need to put it all together for Fernando, and Esteban [Ocon] for that matter - him starting 20th wasn't ideal - and we will do that in the near future and score even more points."

Asked how frustrating the misfortune has been for Alonso, Szafnauer replied: "Very frustrating. [Miami] you don't get into Q3 because [Carlos] Sainz blocks you.

"[At Imola] at the start, Mick backs up into you and you have to retire the car.

"It has been frustrating but there will be better times to come.

"The good thing is the package underneath him is performing, so the rest of the stuff we can work at and great right."

Additional reporting by Ian Parkes

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