The Alpine driver certified ninth – one place and 0.06s behind team-mate Esteban Ocon – in Budapest after enduring what he reckoned to be a supposed drop off within the Pirelli mushy tyre efficiency in Q3 in comparison with the earlier set he had used for his Q2 flying lap.
Alonso nonetheless heralded a “essential Saturday” at a good circuit the place it’s notoriously “tough to overhaul” and reckoned his ninth spot would offer a larger profit off the road, the Spaniard set to launch from the clear facet of the grid, which is “extra noticeable” in Hungary.
However he warned of the warning wanted into the primary nook ought to third-starting Verstappen and polesitter Hamilton conflict in consecutive races following their controversial first-lap collision within the British Grand Prix earlier this month.
Double world champion Alonso reckoned drivers may achieve positions “free of charge” in the event that they have been “intelligent” and have been in a position to keep away from getting concerned in “a bit of little bit of motion” on the entrance.
He stated: “I believe it’ll be hotter in entrance of us.
“We are going to attempt to recuperate locations. I believe we are able to.
“In my case, I begin on the clear facet.
“This is among the circuits that it’s extra noticeable beginning on the clear facet.
“My want is to complete a bit of bit larger within the first lap.
“However I believe we should be cautious as a result of in entrance of us…I believe one thing may occur tomorrow once more.
Fernando Alonso, Alpine A521
Picture by: Andy Hone / Motorsport Images
“We’ve Max beginning on the [quicker] purple [sidewall soft] tyre, Lewis on the yellow [medium compound]. We’ve [Sergio Perez, fourth], [Pierre] Gasly [fifth] additionally.
“Behind them, [Lando] Norris and [Charles] Leclerc, that are a few of the finest starters. The primary nook goes to be a bit of little bit of motion.
“We should be intelligent to remain out of any bother and profit from no matter occurs in entrance.
“We wish a clear first lap as a result of perhaps there are some positions that come free of charge.”
Alonso did clarify the should be cautious with Daniel Ricciardo beginning the race in eleventh, the McLaren driver subsequently gaining free alternative for his beginning tyre compound.
However Alonso rated his possibilities of scoring a sixth points-paying end in a row, a run of kind stretching again to a sixth-place rating in Baku in June.
He stated: “I’ll like to be within the factors tomorrow – no matter place however within the factors.
“We have been scoring for a lot of, many races already.
“We begin in eighth and ninth so perhaps we’re not too removed from what we may obtain.
“However there are automobiles behind us, particularly Ricciardo beginning eleventh, most likely with a more durable compound and so on, that shall be tough to handle to remain in entrance of him.”