Alonso Still Hoping to Score Points

Spanish driver Fernando Alonso is hoping to score some points in tomorrow's Austrian Grand Prix despite starting from the back of the grid.

The Renault driver, lying third in the Championship after having scored points in all five races, made a mistake on his flying lap during today's qualifying session, going off the track at the Niki Lauda corner.

Alonso managed to return to the track but his lap was ten seconds off the pace and he will have to take the start from 19th position.

"In qualifying my lap started very well but I made a mistake that took me off the track and put me at the back of the grid," Alonso said. "In spite of this, I feel confident I can make my way up in tomorrow's race and, who knows, even score some points."

Alonso's teammate Jarno Trulli enjoyed a much better session, setting the sixth fastest time to get himself in a good position to score points.

"I am very happy with my sixth place, considering that it was a tough qualifying for everybody, on a very dirty track," he said. "This morning's hard work on the set up paid off as I felt that the car balance was perfect in qualifying.

"I feel good and ready to attack in tomorrow's race and my objective is definitely to bring home some points for the team."