Alonso optimistic of podium finish

Two-times champion Fernando Alonso said he felt confident he can finish on the podium for Ferrari in Sunday's Turkish Grand Prix after qualifying fifth, for the fourth time this year.

The 29-year-old Spaniard said that he was encouraged as to how the revamped car was performing.

"It was ok - I am still far away from pole position - eight-tenths of a second - but then in China we were 1.4 seconds, so evidently we have made a step forward with the car with the new components."

"But we need to keep working in this direction and we need to be closer."

"I think we are happy with this as we have maximised the potential again."

"We will see tomorrow what happens, but the podium possibility is still there."

"In Malaysia we were very close until we touched with Lewis (Hamilton) and damaged the front wing and in China Felipe (Massa) was very close as well so hopefully in Turkey we can do it."

Brazilian teammate Massa qualified 10th without running in the top-ten shootout.