Alonso "thought Q2 was impossible" in last qualifying

In what probably will turn out to be his last-ever qualifying round in Formula 1, Fernando Alonso said he enjoyed his lap in Q1 for McLaren, as he finally made it out to Q2 again.

The Spaniard said he deemed it impossible to go through to Q2 before he stepped in the car on Saturday, but he somehow got his MCL33 through, leaving teammate Stoffel Vandoorne behind him for the 21st time this season.

He did finish last in Q2 in 15th place, but the two-time champion still enjoyed his time out there on the Yas Marina Circuit.

“We were pretty convinced that it was impossible to go through Q1 into Q2 but we managed just [by] a couple of milliseconds and I was happy for that," the 37-year-old was quoted by RaceFans.

“Then in Q2 probably we are in the position we deserved [15th]. The aim for tomorrow is to be close to the points if possible. We start 15th so five positions away. If we see some action in front of us maybe we take an opportunity.

Alonso remains in 10th place in the championship with 50 points, but Esteban Ocon in 11th is only one point behind him. Alonso will need some amount of points if he wants to remain in the top half of the table.