We need to improve for Canada, says Alonso

F1 Grand Prix, GP Monaco, Monte Carlo Circuit

Following a disastrous Imola weekend, Fernando Alonso arrived in Monaco full of confidence, but an unlucky opening part of qualifying saw him start from the lower region of the grid. The Spaniard urged his team to get its act together for next weekend's Canadian Grand Prix.

Lance Stroll had an action-packed race in Monaco. Unlike the majority of the field, the Canadian pitted for new tyres in the second half of the race which was possible after his team-mate Fernando Alonso deliberately created a gap of over 21 seconds. The strategy move was enough for Stroll to pit without losing any positions.

He then had a puncture which forced him to pit for a second time which completely ruined his chances of any points.

Speaking of his race, Stroll said: "I think we always expected the race to be about managing the tyres so that was no surprise, especially after the restart.

"You need a big delta to overtake here so we did what we could with the strategy. I had a gap over Pierre [Gasly] so we pitted for Hard tyres to try and race him in the second half of the grand prix.

"In the end it didn't work out so we missed out on scoring a point. This weekend was not the easiest and shows we need to find some more pace."

His team-mate Fernando Alonso had a tough day in the office following his low-key qualifying result. The Spaniard started from 14th on the grid, and he was unable to make any real progress which is not surprising given the lack of overtaking in Monaco.

Delivering his post-race impressions, Alonso added: "We were a little bit unlucky at the beginning of the race.

"We chose the Hard tyre to start the race aiming to go very long in the first stint. With the red flag everyone changed tyres, we did the same but had to fit the Medium and go to the end which was tortuous. It was very difficult to keep the tyres alive.

"At one point we thought we’d try a different strategy with Lance - a pit stop to attack Gasly, we were out of the points with nothing to lose. It didn't work but generally it was a disappointing weekend. We need to get better for Canada."

Aston Martin team boss Mike Krack was disappointed after a difficult weekend, but he vowed that the team will pop up in Canada in a much better shape.

"After the red flag on the opening lap there were limited strategy options available today. Starting on the Hard tyres, we switched both cars to the Medium tyres in the hope we could go to the end of the race.

"Lance had a gap over Gasly so we took the opportunity to fit some Hard tyres to compete for the final point. Unfortunately it wasn’t meant to be. Fernando managed his tyres well, but we finished just outside the top ten.

"It’s been another tough day, compromised by qualifying outside of the points scoring positions on Saturday. Now is the time to regroup as a team, focus on improvements and come back stronger in Canada."