Fernando Alonso believes that McLaren do not have enough power to finish in the points at the Japanese Grand Prix.

"The power we lack is strictly engine power", said the Spaniard after finishing thirteenth in qualifying. "We have a lot of work ahead of us: engine power, efficiency and reliability. We know it and we're doing everything we can. We know how hard it is to start every race towards the back of the grid, but we're doing everything we can. We aren't resting on our laurels", added Alonso.

The two-time F1 world champion is having a tough time of it back at McLaren, whose expectations for 2015 have progressively dropped since partnering up with Honda. "In theory, we aren't very fast. If it's an eventful race we might nick the odd point, but if everything goes normally it'll be hard".

Alonso continued that his lap in Q2 was technically the best he had ever put in at Suzuka. "It was the best lap of my career at Suzuka. I could spend the whole afternoon doing laps and not equal the time I set. I'm proud of that, but we know it isn't enough and we're going to struggle tomorrow and be forced to defend what we have", said Alonso.