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Alonso: Something wrong with Vandoorne's car

20:21, 21 Jul 2018

byJake Williams-Smith

Fernando Alonso says he is optimistic that McLaren are improving but that Stoffel Vandoorne is struggling with an undiagnosed issue with his McLaren. The Spaniard outqualified Vandoorne again in Germany, but the team are confident it isn't solely down to a lack of trying for Vandoorne.

Speaking after qualifying, Alonso said that Vandoorne was fighting with a damaged car but that the team couldn't figure out just what was causing the aerodynamic differences.

“I think he’s doing what he can. Definitely the last two races, it’s seemed that that car has some kind of performance issue and it’s clear in the data that there’s less downforce on that car.

“We’ve been changing some parts between the garages, between old parts, new parts, etc. and we need to go deep into that investigation because with both cars close to the points it’s always tight competition.”

In relation to just how McLaren how well McLaren was developing their car, Alonso said he felt the team were doing a good job but with their rivals continuing to develop as well, the goalposts are always moving.

“On Sundays we normally score some points and we are alive because of that – in the constructor’s championship and the drivers’ championship. The car is getting better, the new parts are improving the performance but everyone is doing small steps every race so we keep more or less the same gap with opponents.”