• Japanese Grand Prix - FP2

Ferrari still not quick enough - Alonso

Fernando Alonso: "We hope to be ahead of those cars, such as the Toro Rossos and the McLarens that we cannot have in front of us" © Getty Images

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Fernando Alonso says Ferrari cannot afford to be as far off the pace in qualifying as it was during Friday practice for the Japanese Grand Prix.

Alonso finished the session tenth fastest, 1.235s off pacesetter Sebastian Vettel, but did not get a clear run using low fuel after a spin on his only set of medium compound tyres on Friday. However, the Ferrari driver said he already knows several ways in which he can improve the car ahead of Saturday.

"We were not as competitive as we wanted to be and now we must try and improve, putting together a series of changes that we already have in mind," he said. "Luckily, when I spun I didn't ruin the tyres: we also managed to use them on the long run with a full fuel load, even if we definitely lost a few extra tenths from the first lap. We hope to get a clean lap tomorrow and to be ahead of those cars, such as the Toro Rossos and the McLarens that we cannot have in front of us, as happened today."

Technical director Pat Fry is confident there won't be a repeat of Saturday in qualifying and says the team has yet to show its true pace.

"We didn't manage any quick laps on a low fuel load and so I don't think the final Friday time sheet is particularly representative," he added. "Now we must be cautious, trying to reduce the gap to our closest rivals, while also not underestimating what those behind could do. This evening we will pay maximum attention to all the data we have gathered and assess every possibility for improving. In order to tackle what is a difficult track for the drivers as well as the engineers, it's absolutely vital to get the car as well balanced as possible".

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.