article_snippet: we're much closer to the cars in front now
article_snippet: we form today wasn't unexpected
article_snippet: but I think we performance so far this weekend has maybe been better than I'd have anticipated before arriving here in Malaysia,' Fernando Alonso added.
article_snippet: However, the steps we're taking with the car show a lot of progress, so I'm optimistic that I won't be qualifying in Q1 for that much longer.
article_snippet: we want to beat Mercedes, and to do that you need time, and to be prepared to take your chances as they come.
article_snippet: Before qualifying, I think we'd have hoped to be a bit closer to the cars in front of we, but this weekend has seen we take a massive step forward in performance,’ said the Briton, who finished last and two laps down on race winner Lewis Hamilton at the curtain raiser in Australia.
article_snippet: Also, I think we race pace and we consistency over a long run look like giving we a little extra.
article_snippet: I'd like to think we could get closer to some of the cars in front tomorrow; that'll be something to look forward to.
article_snippet: There are a lot of positives to take from this weekend: we've made a big step forwards in terms of pace.