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Alonso believes McLaren are ahead of mid-field rivals

Alonso believes McLaren are ahead of mid-field rivals

17-05-2018 10:59

Fernando Alonso insists McLaren have equalled both Haas and Renault since introducing their upgrade at the Spanish Grand Prix. The biggest part of the upgrade included what was deemed as a revolutionary front wing. 

Despite this claim, McLaren finished behind Haas and Renault in the Grand Prix, and also sit below Renault in the constructors' championship. 

“We knew that the upgrades would put ourselves in a better position in the midfield pack,” Alonso told Autosport. 

“We did a good step. We were eight tenths behind Renault in Baku, nine-tenths behind in China, but (in Spain) we were the same in qualifying and in the race.”

Ignoring any position markings, McLaren is miles better than this time last year. The team can now compete in the midfield and use this to kick on. But the two-time world champion admits they’re still a long way off the top 3. 

“I think we caught up with Renault and probably Haas as well, but the top three teams are still developing the cars at the same rate we do and unfortunately we’ve kept that gap.” 

Alonso has dropped to seventh in the driver's championship whilst team-mate Stoffel Vandoorne is way down in 14th.