The double world champion will start ninth after his Ferrari developed an engine problem through the second and third segments of qualifying.

Team-mate Kimi Raikkonen set the sixth fastest time, but Alonso was unable to capitalise on misfortune for Sebastian Vettel and Nico Hulkenberg, who surprisingly dropped out of the running in Q2.

“It was a strange qualifying to see Hulkenberg out of Q3, Vettel also, I think we had a chance in Q3 because some top people were missing,” Alonso said.

“On the other hand tomorrow they will be very strong. They have a lot of new tyres to use in the race, so they will be a threat – Vettel, Hulkenberg, [Daniel] Ricciardo.

Bahrain GP qualifying report

“It is going to be a tough race [so] we need a good start, we need a good strategy and if the pace is good enough we can still take some points – that is probably the goal this weekend.”

Alonso also expressed concern about the starting potential of the F14 T, after weak getaways in Australia and Malaysia.

“We didn’t perform good starts in Australia and Malaysia,” he added. “There is room to improve there.

“We’ve been testing some new things this weekend and we are in a little bit [of a] better position.

“I trust and I have confidence that tomorrow we can do a good start, a good first lap, and hopefully that will put us in a position to go with the leaders.

“It is going to be a difficult race, no doubt. I don’t think that we expected before coming here to have a nice race.”

“We will see what we can do tomorrow. Taking some points will be welcome in a difficult weekend.”

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