Fernando Alonso admitted teams are likely to go into the Australian Grand Prix unsure about the tire performance following a rain-hit practice on Friday.
The cooler than expected temperatures, together with the rain that hindered teams in the second session, meant tire testing was not significant, with hotter temperatures expected for the race. Alonso, winner of the first race of the season in Bahrain, lamented the lack of proper dry running, but claimed he was not worried as everybody was in the same situation.
"I think we maximized the first practice this morning with a good number of laps, and good information," said Alonso after practice. "In second practice ,with rain it did affect the program – we didn't do the laps we wanted, with the soft tire especially, so I think we don't have that information that is very useful for the race. But, no one has that information, so in a way it is OK and we are not worried. The things that we want to test more or less we did it at least 80 percent."
The Spaniard, 15th quickest in the afternoon session, insisted that Red Bull remains the fastest team, but reckons his own squad, as well as McLaren and Mercedes, are not far behind.
"Yes. I more or less agree that Red Bull after the winter testing and first race, we can say they are very fast, they are very competitive, but I think there are three teams, Ferrari, McLaren and Mercedes they are not too far behind. So I think it will be a race outside in terms of developing the championship. I am sure my team is on of the best in doing that, so I am not worried at the moment if Red Bull is a bit fast[er]."