Double world champion Fernando Alonso remained confident for Sunday's US Grand Prix despite being beaten to pole position by team mate Lewis Hamilton for the second race in a row.
"It's been a good weekend for me, no doubt," said Alonso, after qualifying on the front row alongside the 22-year-old British rookie.
"I was fastest in P1 (first practice), P2, P3, Q1 (first qualifying), Q2 but not the important one, Q3.
"But being fastest all weekend gives me a lot of confidence for tomorrow. I think for tomorrow we can have a strong race and I'm totally confident," added the Spaniard, who lags Hamilton by eight points after six races.
"I think I have the pace and the weekend has been so far good and why not tomorrow?"
The build-up to the race in Indianapolis has been dominated by talk of tension between the McLaren drivers, with Hamilton going from strength to strength while the more experienced Alonso has looked uneasy.
The Briton, Alonso and McLaren team bosses have spent much of the week fielding questions about the relationship between the two drivers.
{{/usCountry}}The Briton, Alonso and McLaren team bosses have spent much of the week fielding questions about the relationship between the two drivers.
{{/usCountry}}Hamilton's pole position, after six stunning podium finishes in a row that have transformed him into Formula One's hottest property, triggered even more questions and increased the pressure on Alonso.
Asked who he would rather fight for victory, his team mate or Ferrari, Alonso was clear however: "My team mate, because that means that the team is doing well and we can take some advantage from Ferrari," he said.