Alonso tells rivals to enjoy his downfall while it lasts

Is Alonso still bitter from losing his job to Vettel at Ferrari?

Fernando Alonso has told his rivals to enjoy seeing him failing to exit Q1 because it won't last forever and soon it will "time for him to enjoy" success.

The Spaniard, who starts this weekend's Chinese Grand Prix from 18th, chose to exit Ferrari for the new McLaren-Honda partnership, but has seen his former team win a race already this season whilst he's yet to even finish one.

However he claims he is happy to take the riskier option because he believes it will soon pay off.

"I'm involved in a new project because to beat Mercedes you need to do something different, you need take some risks, so it's what I decided last year to do," he explained.

"I finished second in the world championship three years in the five years with Ferrari, I could continue two more years there and maybe finish second again, but that was not enough and I preferred the risk.

"Now I'm not getting out of Q1, so it's time for many to enjoy at this moment. Those who are enjoying, they are third, one second behind.

"They're beating me, but they're not beating Mercedes, which at the end of the day is my goal. So it's time for others to enjoy, but soon it will be time for me to enjoy."