Fernando Alonso's drive to eighth place in the Brazilian Grand Prix highlighted what a "competitive animal" the Spaniard is, according to the McLaren Formula One team.
Despite McLaren lagging at the bottom of the speed traps throughout the weekend, Alonso impressed to qualify seventh in Brazil. He started from sixth -- a season-best grid slot for McLaren -- after Daniel Riccardo's engine penalty had been applied.
Alonso ran as high as fifth place on the opening lap but was quickly passed by local hero Felipe Massa, before losing further ground to the recovering Mercedes of Lewis Hamilton and Daniel Ricciardo's Red Bull.