Both former world champs score their first points of 2016
Thursday 19 May 2016 11:42, UK
Fernando Alonso says McLaren should target being regular points finishes after the Spaniard and team-mate Jenson Button broke their duck for 2016 at the Russian GP.
The Spaniard crossed the line in Sochi in sixth place after an impressive drive while Button - who had started two places ahead of Alonso from 12th on the grid - fought back from a difficult first lap to claim tenth.
"We were lucky in the second and third corners but we saw last year that after good starts we couldn't retain positions and today was different," Alonso told Sky F1.
"We had the pace - l think we did the fifth-fastest lap of the race - and l think finishing in the points regularly should be the target from now on."
Alonso's burst occurred with just a handful of laps remaining and the two-time world champion admitted he needed an adrenaline boost after running in isolation a long way behind Williams' Felipe Massa.
"The car felt good but we were fuel saving," he explained. "At one point l said l wanted to do a quick lap to wake up a little bit! The potential is there and there are circuits coming which should suit our car."
Those sentiments were echoed by team boss Eric Boullier who added: "We are relieved and happy for the guys back at the factory. Everyone is working so hard. This track did not suit us with the famous fuel saving, so hopefully on another track we can get more power out of the car."
McLaren are expected to introduce a substantial aerodynamic upgrade for the next race in Spain.
