Alonso predicts stronger race form

The Spanish driver will start the race from fifth position for the third time in a row, after finishing nearly 1.5 seconds of pole-setter Sebastian Vettel.

Alonso admitted he is expecting to be in better shape in the race, and insisted the podium was his main target.

"We are more confident over the race pace than qualy," said Alonso when asked by AUTOSPORT about his race prospects. "We saw in the first two races.

"On Saturday we struggle a little bit more, so I expect tomorrow we'll have a little bit more of a competitive car and starting fifth anything can happen.

"The podium is still the target for us, the dream for us. If we can do it, okay, and if not fourth will be okay, if not fifth will be okay."

The Ferrari driver was nonetheless satisfied with his performance, conceding there was nothing more to extract from the car.

"I think we did okay, and fifth and sixth at the moment is the maximum we can do with what we have in our hands. We delivered today what we are supposed to deliver."