Fernando Alonso is not surprised by his fourth-place finish in qualifying, conceding that Ferrari's rivals won the development race.
Having claimed his first victory of the campaign in Silverstone and then taking the fight to the Red Bulls in Friday's practice, much was expected from Alonso and his 150° Italia in qualifying at the Nurburgring.
The Spaniard, though, could only manage fourth place after being pipped to the post by the two Red Bull drivers and Lewis Hamilton.
However, he's not disappointed with his showing as he was less than four tenths behind the Bulls. He does, however, concede that Ferrari's rivals, especially McLaren, upped their game this weekend.
"I think it was okay for us," Alonso said.
"We said yesterday we were between two and four tenths behind Red Bull, and we are between two and four-tenths behind Red Bull.
"Hamilton did very well today. Yesterday maybe they were testing some new parts or whatever, and they were not so good in the times at the end, but they were very competitive, and today they showed it.
"No surprises, I think. To be fourth is a very good position for us, and in the race tomorrow maybe with the rain, anything can happen, so we will attack for sure.
"We're still improving the car, the new parts we brought here are also very positive, the car feels better and better every time.
"It's not that our competitors are looking at the TV in the 15 days between the two races, everyone is improving.
"We know McLaren brought here a big aero package, Red Bull as well, it's a competition also outside the races which team is quicker in developing the car as well."
As for Sunday's 60-lap grand prix, meteorologists are forecasting rain, which Alonso says could mean anything is possible. He is, however, chasing a podium finish at the very least.
"Tomorrow there's a forecast of rain, and if that's true, I think the race is very open.
"You never know what can happen in a wet race. Tyre temperature will be an issue, because already we have problems with dry tyres, and if it's wet, with 11C ambient temperature, I don't know how we will put some heat in the tyres.
"It's the same for everybody. It's a race to survive tomorrow, if it's wet. We need to finish that race, and I'm sure it will be a podium."
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