Fernando Alonso says McLaren has to ensure its lack of pace at the Japanese Grand Prix is not the norm for the final four races of the season.
After several competitive races inside the top ten, Alonso and teammate Jenson Button have been a long way off the race at Honda's home race. Alonso had Honda's upgraded power unit for the whole weekend, something Button took for the race, but finished 16th and 18th respectively.
Talking about his race, Alonso said: "The start was good, but I had to go too far left and give room to others. In terms of constructors' championship we didn't score points but neither did Toro Rosso, I beat Carlos and Jenson, but we weren't quick all weekend - let's make sure this was the exception, not the norm.
"Nothing happened ahead of us but we weren't very quick today either. We were too slow, not only today but the whole weekend, so we need to find the reasons. Five days ago we were 7th in Malaysia, fighting with Pérez for P6 up to the last corner, and one week later we're even behind Sauber..."
Though the Suzuka circuit does not suit the McLaren-Honda package Alonso admits he's been surprised to see just how badly it struggled all weekend.
"We expected more, coming here, for sure. It's a negative surprise to end up in 16th place after so many consecutive good results. The track layout didn't help us, with the long corners and long straights, we're certainly lacking in both."