Q: Fernando, it’s the first time in a long time that you’ve walked away with a big smile from qualifying...

Fernando Alonso: Oh yes, I am very happy! Both McLarens in Q3 - that is the first time since 2014! So yes, definitely a huge step forward this weekend. (Laughs) I think this track suits our car a bit better and that’s why we’ve been competitive all weekend. This afternoon I was enjoying the tricky conditions very much: finally something different going on in qualifying! In Q2 we were really, really fast - at some point even making the top spot of the timesheet! So yep, this weekend is looking pretty good - and now we have to finish the job tomorrow.

Q: With the cars in parc ferme, are they set up more for the dry or for the wet?

FA: They are completely set up for dry conditions. We were banking on dry conditions for the whole weekend - and then 45 minutes before qualifying there where first all those dark clouds, and then it started to pour - rather unexpected! I think there was this huge dark cloud just over the track! (laughs) This is summer in Budapest, so thunderstorms can happen any time. But the forecast for the race is dry conditions - hopefully!

Q: Can you talk us through your qualifying - especially Q3 and your spin?

FA: I was braking very late into Turn 6 and cut the chicane and clearly lost time there. I wanted to recover some time and was probably overdriving in Turn 8 and 9 and had the spin. That was a little bit of a frustration because I think we could have gained a couple of tenths. So I admit: it was my mistake. But I can live with P7 - it’s the clean side of the track. So far everything is looking good. I have been in P7 all weekend long - so why not step up in the race?