Fernando Alonso said McLaren’s decision to use Friday as a test session was the reason both drivers failed to set headline-grabbing times during Formula 1 German G🔜rand Prix practice. 

McLaren utilised both of Friday’s free practice sessions at Hockenheim to carry out a series of𝔍 aerodynamic and set-up tests in a bid to improve the performance of its MCL33 following a difficult sta🐭rt to the new season. 

As a result, Alonso could only manage the 12th-fastes✱t time🍸 in FP1, before dropping down towards the lower reaches of the order in FP2 as he finished 17th. 

“We did test a lot of things and ℱwe were probably compromised because of those tests in the final results,” the Spaniarꦇd explained. 

“In the la💯st couple of races we were quite high on Friday and in 0.2-0.3s tenths you can lose or gain a lot of positions. On Friday this time we are iඣn the low part so hopefully that changes on Saturday.”

Vandoorne, who propped up the timesheets in both sessions, said he learned very 🍨little from his programme b𒁃ut hopes McLaren’s call will prove beneficial as the weekend progresses. 

"It’s hard to tell because we were a little bit spee💮d-limited this morning in FP1,” he added. 

“Limited mileage and not really le🌟arning for myself, really doing the learning for the team and hopefully for them its been beneficial today to understand for the future.”

Rain 🦂showers are predicted for Saturday in Hockenheim and Alonso reckons a change in weather conditions could play𓆉 into McLaren’s hands. 

“If 🐼tꦬhat happens it opens a big opportunity for the midfield group, you can gamble a little bit more,” he said. 

“It can be very gooꦡd or it can be very bad but when you are notꦚ fighting for the championship it normally give you an opportunity.”