Fernando Alonso says he remains convinced McLaren-Honda is becoming increasingly competitive ahead of the Russian Grand Prix, but is losing out in a tight mid-field pack when it matters in qualifying. The two-time world champion had hoped to lift McLaren into Q3 for the first time since 2014 in Sochi, but admitted prior to qualifying that free practice pace didn't always translate because rivals are able to turn up their power units for a quick single lap. And so it proved, Alonso in the mix but left 14th on the grid, while team-mate Jenson Button starts in 12th place. Nevertheless, the Spaniard is keen to point he was simply on the wrong side of a slim gap covering the mid-field pack...
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