Alonso wants to put pressure on Verstappen: 'Won easily so far'

Fernando Alonso briefly seemed to go for pole position, but in the end Max Verstappen 's lap time was too high for the Spaniard. Nico Hulkenberg surprised by passing Alonso in the closing stages of Canadian qualifying as well, leaving the Aston Martin driver to settle for third place on the grid.

"It was a very tricky qualifying session when choosing the right tyres at the right time," said Alonso after qualifying in Canada. He would have liked to be on the front row, but says he is not dissatisfied with third place on the grid. "P3, you know we will take it. It's a good pace to start. ," he adds.

Whether he will be able to challenge Verstappen for victory he dare not say, but the 41-year-old Spaniard hopes to make it at least a little difficult for him. "I think tomorrow we will have a chance to put some pressure [on Red Bull]. I think they had very easy wins until now, and tomorrow they will hopefully push more tomorrow," Alonso said.