Fernando Alonso says some areas of this year’s McLaren Formula 1 car are “surprisingly good”, but admits there are still things that need improving.

Alonso joined the Woking team for the second week of pre-season testing in Barcelona, following the progress of the new MCL34 with which McLaren will compete in 2019.

Team drivers Lando Norris and Carlos Sainz have topped a day of testing each, although the latter made it clear he doesn’t believe McLaren is in a position to win.

The two-time world champion Alonso has not driven the car, but he has been hearing from the engineers and analysing the data in his status as ambassador, for the proud McLaren F1 team