Fernando Alonso says Ferrari was quick in Valencia, just hurt by close times
Fernando Alonso says there was nothing wrong with Ferrari in qualifying for the European Grand Prix, and the team just paid the price for the field being so close in Q2

Both Alonso and Felipe Massa missed out on making the top 10 on the grid, despite both being within 0.3 seconds of the fastest lap in that segment.
When asked what made the difference between Ferrari's strong qualifying performance in Canada and this weekend, Alonso said: "I think how close the times were. From a handling point of view, driving the car, everything was good.
"In Montreal we were four tenths from the quickest in Q2, and here we were two tenths from the quickest in Q2.
"Performance wise it is one of the best performances for us this year. Position wise, it is one of the worst."
Alonso added that while Ferrari was so close to the pace, that was not to suggest that the team deserved to qualify any higher.
"We were not quick enough," he said. "Normally if you get into Q3 it is because you deserve it and because you do the job. We will try to recover tomorrow and try to gain some positions."

Previous article
Europe Saturday quotes: Mercedes
Next article
Rosberg frustrated with Hamilton after European Grand Prix qualifying

About this article
Series | Formula 1 |
Drivers | Fernando Alonso |
Teams | Ferrari |
Author | Glenn Freeman |
Fernando Alonso says Ferrari was quick in Valencia, just hurt by close times
Why Russell was right to be wrong about Bottas after Imola F1 clash
George Russell and Valtteri Bottas' collision at Imola on Sunday prompted fury in the Formula 1 paddock. But Russell's carefully-worded heartfelt statement later, acknowledging that his initial response was wrong, proved the right move
How Verstappen and Hamilton’s Imola clash sets the tone for F1’s 2021 title fight
In Max Verstappen's Formula 1 career to date, he has been cast as the 'pretender', an acknowledged top-line performer without the car to regularly challenge Lewis Hamilton. But that no longer applies in 2021, and the start to the Emilia Romagna Grand Prix was the most telling signal yet of what we can expect from their duel this year
How “overwhelming” McLaren move has given Ricciardo a new verve
Daniel Ricciardo has found a new lease of life at McLaren – a move that’s been years in the making, as he explains to STUART CODLING…
The German legend who raced and beat Nuvolari
Ninety years ago, Rudolf Caracciola became the first non-Italian to win the epic Mille Miglia. We look at how he stacks up to the most famous pre-war ace Tazio Nuvolari, one of the drivers he beat on that day in 1931
How 2021's midfielders have taken lessons from F1's top teams
Formula 1’s latest Imola adventure turned into an expensive trip for many teams due to several crashes throughout the weekend. While balancing the books is an added factor in 2021 with the cost cap, a few midfield teams have cashed in early on development investments
Emilia Romagna Grand Prix Driver Ratings
A frantic wet race at Imola produced plenty of excitement and drama as drivers scrabbled for grip. Amid the hatful of mistakes and incidents that ensued, who kept their noses cleanest?
How the Emilia Romagna GP result hinged on three crucial saves
Rain before the start of the Emilia Romagna Grand Prix promised to spice up the action, and the race certainly delivered on that. Max Verstappen got the best launch to win from Lewis Hamilton, but both got away with mistakes that could have had serious consequences
The back-bedroom world-beater that began a new F1 era
The first in a line of world beaters was designed in a back bedroom and then constructed in a shed. STUART CODLING recalls the Tyrrell 001