“Very tough” for McLaren to stay in fight with Alpine

McLaren and Alpine have enjoyed a season-long battle to finish as the leading midfield team this year, with momentum swinging back and forth in recent races.

McLaren’s run to fourth and fifth in Singapore put it back into P4 in the constructors’ championship, only for Alpine to strike back last Sunday at Suzuka as Esteban Ocon and Fernando Alonso finished fourth and seventh respectively.

It has given Alpine a 13-point advantage with four races…