Alonso makes surprising Ferrari claim for upcoming F1 races

Fernando Alonso has suggested Ferrari will have the car to beat at the next two F1 races in Italy and Singapore respectively.

The Maranello-based squad won two races in the opening eight events and was often Red Bull's closest challenger in the first stage of the campaign.

However, Ferrari has slipped behind in the pecking order of late as McLaren and Mercedes have made gains towards the front of the field.

Next weekend sees Ferrari's home event from Monza take place, followed by street circuits in Baku and Singapore, the latter of which features similar characteristics to the Monaco track that Ferrari prevailed at earlier this season.

As the Italian squad aims to get back to top form, Alonso believes Ferrari enters the upcoming rounds as favourites.  

“I think the top four teams, maybe Mercedes, are a little bit up and down, but McLaren, Red Bull and Ferrari, they are podium contenders every weekend,” Alonso said. 

“The next two races [not including the Azerbaijan Grand Prix between them], for example, Ferrari should be the car to beat. 

“What we saw last year in Monza and Singapore, Leclerc's win in Monaco this year, for Singapore, I think they will be the favourites.”

Alonso states one point 'too much' for Aston Martin pace

Alonso ended the Dutch Grand Prix on Sunday in 10th place, securing a solitary point from a challenging weekend.

The Spaniard conceded the result overachieved the pace the car had throughout the grand prix.

“Probably even one point is a little bit too much for the pace we had,” Alonso stated.

“But we did a good qualifying and started in P7 obviously, which gave us the possibility to score this point.

“We need to get better. There are a couple of races already that we are struggling to keep up with some of the midfield teams. 

“We need to understand why and we need to get better.”