Fernando Alonso on Saturday said a mechanical problem during qualifying for the Singapore grand prix cost him his best chance of the season for a strong result.

The former double world champion, who has not won a grand prix for more than a year, has been fast under the Marina Bay circuit's floodlights all weekend, topping the timesheets in a practice session on Friday and again on Saturday.

But despite carrying promising pace into the first segment of qualifying, the 27-year-old Spaniard pulled off the course in Q2, stranding him 15th on the grid at a track completely devoid of overtaking opportunities.

"We haven't been this strong anywhere," Alonso rued to reporters, confirming a fuel feed problem.

"In other races we wouldn't have lost much but here we have lost the biggest chance we had," he added.

Alonso admitted that he was not likely to have been in contention for pole position, but he said a front row berth was within reach.

"The race is lost," said the Renault driver, who was visibly furious when he emerged from the broken R28.

Source: GMM