Fernando Alonso thinks progressing to Q3 at a circuit like Canada would have been unthinkable for McLaren just a few months ago.
McLaren had looked impressive in this weekend's practice sessions and Alonso made it count on Saturday afternoon, splitting the Mercedes-powered Force Indias for 10th in Q2. Canada is a circuit which places considerable emphasis on the power unit and Alonso thinks a Q3 appearance is validation of the progress being made at the team.
Asked if he was happy with the result given how McLaren struggled in Canada last year, he replied; "Definitely, very happy, we did an amazing job with the car in 12 months and we are in a position now that is better than we expected.
"I think we have to say thanks to everyone in the team. Today in Q2 we were ahead of one Force India in Canada which is something which was difficult to imagine a couple of months ago.
"We were four tenths behind Ferrari [in Q2] so that is something that pushes everyone in the factory and boost everyone in terms of motivation. Hopefully we keep this development."
Though there has been a Honda power unit upgrade this weekend, Alonso admits the team's pace came from focusing more on car set-up to maximise speed through Canada's corners.
"I think it was difficult decisions all weekend to find the right level of downforce with the rear wing and to balance the straight line speed with the corner speed. With the weather forecast and rain predicted [for Sunday] we chose to be faster in the corners and not the straights so maybe that will pay off tomorrow and we can take some points."