Austrian GP: Fernando Alonso says underdog heroics bring no joy

Ferrari driver Alonso managed to lead a race for the first time this year as a result of a later pitstop, but then finished nearly 20 seconds down on race winner Nico Rosberg.

The Spaniard was the highest classified driver not using Mercedes power, with the remaining six positions in the top seven going to cars with the German engines.

Although Alonso said it was positive to be seen as a very strong driver in an inferior car, he admitted he would trade that kind of respect for more victories.

"Not much, to be honest," said Alonso when asked if he got any satisfaction from being the best non-Mercedes driver.

"It's been five years like this.

"There is always the satisfaction that everyone believes that you are performing at your best. There's the respect from the drivers, team principals and fans for the job that you do.

"But I'd prefer to have no respect and win more trophies.

"At the moment we are not in that position, so let's try to be a little bit better and try to do more podiums, more wins, and help the team more and more."

Alonso also downplayed the significance of being able to get closer to the Mercedes-powered cars in the latter stages of the race.

"I think it was just a coincidence," he said. "First of all [Sergio] Perez was slowing down the group a little bit and we were catching up.

"I closed on Massa at the end and then when I was close I think he pulled away. Same with [Lewis] Hamilton in the first lap.

"It was unbelievable the difference between the two cars. If they [Mercedes] run with those settings [all the race] they would lap everyone, but they cannot do it for the whole race."

Alonso said after the race that he had done "71 qualifying laps".