Planet-F1

Alonso: Front row start is unexpected

Saturday 26th April 2008

Fernando Alonso wasn't at all upset about missing out on pole position in Spain, delighted that he could even make the front row of the grid.

Alonso's return to Renault at the start of this season has been a trying one as the Spaniard and his team battle with a lack of pace.

However, there were no signs of that during Saturday's qualifying for the Spanish GP, which saw Alonso finished second behind Raikkonen.

"I think it was very exciting when I crossed the line because I knew the time was good," the double World Champion said.

"I knew that only Kimi was running behind so when I crossed the line I knew it was front row in the worst case, so that is something we didn't expect at all, not in this race or maybe during the whole season, so I cannot be more happy than I am now."

Alonso is now hoping that his qualifying result is a sign of better things to come for Renault, who he reckons took a leap forward during last week's test at Barcelona.

"The car feels better. I am happy with the car and we made a step forward no doubts. We found more at the test when we compared the changes back-to-back and we saw here a clear result, a big improvement in the car," he said.

"All weekend it has been difficult with the track conditions. For the race we will see what we can do. But this second place of today is more than we expected for the whole weekend."