Q: Fernando, what are your expectations for this Monaco weekend? You were near to finishing in the points in Spain - could it finally happen here?

Fernando Alonso: Yes, we were pretty close to getting points in Barcelona so I think here it will not be too different. Of course the aim is to get our first points, and it would be great if it happens here.

Q: To win the Monaco Grand Prix is always very special - every driver wants to get to that situation. How is it for you knowing that you will not win? Have you conditioned yourself to that fact; can you be happy with a few points?

FA: Yes, you have to reset your expectations - every weekend and every year, depending on how competitive your package is. So it will have to be seen what we can do here. I have great memories of fantastic wins here, but for now it will be different. We are still at the beginning of a big project. I have frequently said that if you want to beat Mercedes it is the only way to do it: taking risk and having some extreme ideas on the car, as we have. It is better to risk than to be second forever.

Q: Could the rule changes that are under discussion for 2017, especially the return of refuelling, help struggling teams?

FA: I am not sure if it can help struggling teams, but I hope that it helps Formula One. I hope that it is good for the sport. Realistically we are coming back to the rules we had in the past so it is some kind of admission that there have been mistakes made in the last four to five years regarding the rules. Coming back means that it was better before. You cannot run only one second quicker than a GP2 car and still think that the fans will follow. I hope 2017 will show again the true colours of Formula One: the fastest and most competitive cars in the world.