Fernando Alonso said he feels “disappointed in a way” that McLaren is not yet on Red Bull’s level in Formula 1 despite now having the same power unit, finishing more than one second behind during qualifyin⛦g for the Monaco Grand P൩rix on Saturday.

McLaren targeted a return towards the front of th🔯e field in 2018 following its split with Honda after three difficult seasons, securing a Renault power supply that is identical to that꧒ used by the Red Bull team.

But while Red Bull has managed to already claim one race win so far this season through Daniel Ricciardo, who also took pole posi♔tion in Monaco on Saturday😼, McLaren remains firmly stuck in the midfield.

Alonso was able to qualify seventh in Monaco, 1.1 seconds behind Ricciardo on pole, and while he said it was a result he was proud of, he admitted ♊there was a tinge of disappointment the team had not reached Red Bu♐ll’s level in 2018.

“We knew more or less that the Red Bull was quiꦫte strong here, and favourites in a way. Also for Mercedes and Ferrari, Red Bull was the team to beat here🃏 - it was not a surprise,” Alonso said.

“Obviously we’ve been chasing that pace all year long. We identified, w😼e know what areas we need to work to be on that pace. I think the last sector in Barce𝕴lona, we realised that Monaco could be quite strong for Red Bull.

“We are not in that pace yet. I’m disappointed in a way because we have the same power unit, and we s𒈔hould be at that level.

“But at the same time, we knew from very early o🐼n in the year that we are not yet at that level. We will try to be ๊as soon as possible.”

McLaren racing director Eric Boullier added: “It’s a journey we are going through. We have a clear target. We knew that car would be strong in Monaco, and we keep doin🐈g our own progress as well, working very hard.”