F1: Regular points now realistic - Alonso

Fernando Alonso feels McLaren-Honda is finally in a position to target points at every Formula 1 grand prix this season following the team's Russian Grand Prix display.

For only the second time since McLaren and engine manufacturer Honda were reunited at the start of last season, the team managed to get both cars in the points at Sochi. Alonso finished sixth, while team-mate Jenson Button claimed 10th to edge McLaren up to seventh in the constructors' championship.

"Unlike last year when we made good starts and were unable to retain those positions, the difference this year is we have the pace," said Alonso who believes McLaren's 2016 machinery is "growing" in performance.

"Qualifying in Russia, the result was a little disappointing [with Alonso 14th and Button 12th], but with the race we saw a more normal pace. So I think to be in the points regularly should be the target from now on."

Alonso recognizes, however, there are such fine margins between the midfield teams, as highlighted during qualifying in particular in Russia.

"Two tenths [of a second] separated us from Q3," he added. "We had a group of cars very close together fighting for Q3, and we were the last of those cars, so we are still missing a couple of tenths that will help us massively in terms of how many positions we can overtake."

Highlighting the fact the power unit is still an area of vulnerability for Honda, Alonso said: "Other people were turning up their engine a little bit in Q1, then in Q2 and Q3. We don't have that possibility at the moment so our performance is more or less the same, which is why we probably look a little bit better in practice than in qualifying."

Originally on Autosport.com