Fernando Alonso admits he missed the "amazing" performance of Formula 1 cars in qualifying after Saturday at the Bahrain Grand Prix.

The double world champion is back on the grid with Alpine this season following a two-year absence, and was back in Q3 for the first time since Monaco 2018, claiming a solid P9.

“It was good!” said Alonso via Formula1.com. “I think we have to be pleased with the qualifying.

"I was not confident in any of the sessions so far in the weekend, I was struggling a little bit to feel the rear of the car in windy conditions, but now in the qualifying, everything was calmer.

"The night situation I think helped us with the cooler temperatures, so I was able to attack and feel the car a little bit better and it was fun."

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And after a few years driving a variety of different cars from prototypes to IndyCar and the Dakar Rally monsters, Alonso acknowleged the grip and speed of F1 remains unmatched

“I have to tell you to drive these cars with low fuel, new tyres, the peak performance of the tyre in the first lap, it’s an enjoyable car to drive,” he added.

“I did miss this feeling. I think the qualifying performance is something amazing. Then in the race, you have to pace yourself a little bit with the tyre management, with other things. But in qualifying, the maximum performance is something amazing.”

While Alpine haven't looked like leading midfield contenders all weekend, the never give up attitude of Alonso means he won't satisfied by simply staying P9.

“That’s the plan!” he said when asked if he could move up the field.

“I think we have to be aware as well that some cars starting behind us, they didn’t go to Q3 because maybe they tried [to go through] with the medium in Q2, so they have the pace, and they are quicker probably than us.

"So yes we have to attack, but at the same time have one eye on the mirror because there are some fast cars behind us.”

Equally though, while Sunday might be Alonso's 312th Grand Prix start, he admits there is still a strong first week of school feeling.

“I am confident we can do a good season but it has to be race by race,” he said.

“I have to get better myself first of all because even today it was the very first time on these grippy tyres to extract the maximum from the car, I will need a couple of races probably to get up to speed.

“Even the same tomorrow it will be the first time formation lap, the traffic lights, the first corner action, it’s simple things for a racing driver but after two years it’s going to feel again like new.

"To do a pit stop under two seconds, all these things I will have to live it for the very first time again, and that’s something I will need a couple of races to get up to speed, so let’s see.”

Alonso's Alpine teammate Esteban Ocon had been faster than the Spaniard throughout practice, but starts P16 after yellow flags ruined his final run in Q1.