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BUDAPEST, Hungary - A disappointed Fernando Alonso sweated for nothing when he pushed his recalcitrant McLaren-Honda car uphill and back to the pits - only to be told it was all to no avail..
Alonso had come to a halt out on the track during qualifying for the Hungarian Grand Prix, leaving him with little choice.
'STOPPED TWICE IN ONE LAP'
Alonso said: "The car stopped twice during the lap. I didn't know if it could be fixed or not, but if the car doesn't reach the pits by itself you can't go back out. It was a bit in vain.
"Unfortunately when we arrived in the garage, they told me we were not allowed to go out again because the rules say the car has to arrive by itself in the garage.
"It's a bit of a strange rule because we have seen many times a car arriving on crane and starting the session again."
Alonso will start 15th on the grid for Sunday's race, one place ahead of equally-frustrated team mate Jenson Button.
Alonso said: "I think around 12th or 13th would have been possible. Here in Hungary, like with urban circuits, the race is almost over on Saturday because it's very hard to overtake. So, starting from 15th, and from the dirty side, is all the problems combined.
"Jenson had a problem with the Kers and for me the car switched off. Not the right time!"
McLaren are the team with the best record at the Hungaroring circuit, having won 11 times and both Alonso and Button are former winners at the track.