Alonso: Toro Rosso now third fastest

With Sebastian Vettel proving Toro Rosso's ever improving pace with a surprise pole position for the Italian Grand Prix, Alonso has no doubts about how strong he thinks the team are.

And he admits he takes some satisfaction from seeing the former Minardi outfit enjoying such success, having made his debut for them in 2001.

"I am very happy because I know 90 percent of the people stayed the same," explained Alonso. "I know the mechanics, I know everyone there. I am happy for them.

"They have had a huge improvement this year with the new car when they introduced it, and now the last three or four grands prix they have a good Ferrari engine I think. So they are right at the top now for the last three or four races and I think for the remaining races Toro Rosso are the third quickest team if you look at what has happened."

BMW Sauber's Robert Kubica does not think Toro Rosso are the third fastest team just yet, but he concedes that they are now very close in terms of pace to his team.

"We have seen always a strong performance from those cars in the wet conditions and they have confirmed it," he said. "I would like to congratulate Toro Rosso as lately they are doing a very good job. I know many guys there and for sure for them it is a very good feeling to be at Monza and on pole. They have done a good job. It is good for them.

"Looking at the pace in Valencia, I think Vettel made a mistake there in Q3 otherwise he would be close to me. In Spa I had one Toro Rosso in front of me and one Toro Rosso behind me for the entire race, and here they are very strong again.

"They were also strong in some tests, so they are doing really good and I think maybe they are not in front of us but they are very close to us. I think it shows that if you are united and working in the same direction you can do always a good job and can develop a lot.

"No one was expecting to have Toro Rosso so in front at the beginning of the season or even in the middle of the season and now for three races, it is not just luck, they are fighting for top positions and that is very good."