Alonso optimistic of stronger race performance

Fernando Alonso is hopeful of a stronger performance in the Azerbaijan Grand Prix after a difficult Saturday qualifying saw both McLaren's almost a second slower than their rivals with Renault power units.

Alonso lines up 13th while his teammate Stoffel Vandoorne will start the race from 16th on the grid, both drivers at least two seconds away from Red Bull, a marker throughout the season many will point to as evidence of underperformance from McLaren.

"Qualifying still isn’t the strongest part of our weekend," he said. "This is the third time in a row where I’ve qualified 13th.

McLaren sporting director Eric Boullier added that he felt that both drivers will have a better showing during the race.