Malaysian GP: Alonso delighted with fourth after Kvyat clash

The Ferrari and Toro Rosso came together at Turn 4 early in Q2, when Kvyat went down the inside of Alonso, who then turned across.

Ferrari was able to repair the car in time for Alonso to resume, helped by a short red flag to retrieve debris from the incident, but the Spaniard said his F14 T was still hobbled.

"I'm so happy with this qualifying - it's probably the biggest smile for a fourth position in my career," said Alonso.

"It was so chaotic, especially at the end with a car that was damaged.

"In the right hand corners I could move the steering wheel with one finger and in the lefts I could not even move it with two hands.

"So it was very heavy on one side and very light on the other, and this in wet conditions was not the easiest way to drive the car.

"We managed to put the car out on the track to complete the laps and those laps were enough for fourth so we need to be very happy."

Alonso admitted that he had turned in on Kvyat unaware that he was there, but also suggested the Russian had been too aggressive.

"Obviously it was an unfortunate situation, wrong place at the wrong moment," said Alonso.

"I didn't see him, that's the truth. I turned in and I only felt the hit, I didn't even see him before he hit my car.

"I didn't see a replay so I don't know where he was coming from, if he was late braking I don't know.

"For sure it was a surprise on the out-lap with these visibility conditions to have these kind of attacks.

Kvyat said they had discussed the collision.

"We spoke about it and we just misunderstood each other," he said.

"It's very simple. I thought he was letting me past. But in the end it's OK."