Alonso ‘still’ believes in McLaren cause

McLaren may be in the midst of a wretched season but Fernando Alonso is adamant there are "positive" signs for the future.

With just seven races remaining this season, McLaren have managed just 17 points.

The majority of those came courtesy of the Spaniard's P5 in Hungary which was also the Honda-powered team's only double points-haul of the campaign.

And although that was followed by two point-less results at the high-speed Spa and Monza, Alonso is confident there are positive signs for the future.

"Obviously I ask and try to be informed of all the steps we are putting in place to improve the situation," Sky Sports quotes him as having said.

"We know, clearly, what the areas to improve for next year are and the amount to improve for next year to be competitive.

"Every weekend we update the situation and everything seems logical and okay, going in the right direction. Things will change a lot for next year.

"Let's say, it's not difficult because we are quite bad at the moment, but I like what I've seen. So it's quite a positive thing."

However, should this season continue as such, Alonso is on course to record his worst showing since his debut season with Minardi.

But despite facing that prospect, he still believes in the cause.

"Even in Ferrari, if we didn't have a competitive car, those five years were good for my experience and my career. I enjoyed the time and I have great memories.

"This year the results are quite tough to accept, but I'm still learning and to work on a completely new project like this starting from zero and growing up together is quite exciting from a driver's point of view.

"But we want to win and we are competitive [people]. There is not a deadline. I know I'm not young anymore, but I still have three years contract with McLaren so after we will see if we're in a position to fight for the championship or, if things are not looking good, maybe I will think differently."

He added: "Obviously, the situation of the performance we've had this year is a little bit lower than the expectations of last year at this time, but to beat Mercedes you need to do something different. Or you are in a Mercedes car. Or you are frustrated.

"It doesn't matter what the others say. People on the podium or the Williams cars, that have podiums here and there, they cannot be happy. They are fourth, they are third, they are second, they are fifth.

"We are 16th, okay, but we want to be first and to be first I still believe I'm in the right place for the future."