P1racenews AI automatic summary:
Alonso: Aston Martin’s F1 qualifying pace a "massive surprise"
Fernando Alonso qualified sixth on the grid for the race after a strong performance in Q3, where he showed promising pace despite doubts about his car’s one-lap speed. He expressed his surprise and happiness about the competitiveness they found during the weekend. Alonso credited the improved performance to better car setup and responsiveness to changes made by the Aston Martin team on the tricky Sakhir circuit. However, he remained cautious about the team’s race performance after some less impressive long runs during testing and practice. Alonso emphasized the need for continuous development throughout the season to compete with top teams like Ferrari and Mercedes, expressing optimism for the future based on their strong start.
