Fernando Alonso started the Italian Grand Prix from seventh place, after a number of drivers were awarded grid penalties for various component changes.
The double World Champion had actually qualified P10, after failing to set a time in Q3.
The Spaniard was promoted to P7 due to Carlos Sainz, Sergio Pérez and Sir Lewis Hamilton having sizeable grid penalties.
Incredibly, despite having a grid penalty, Max Verstappen will still start ahead of the Alpine driver.
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With Esteban Ocon having failed to make it into the final part of qualifying, Alonso had no benefit of a tow from his team-mate, something which the majority of the top 10 had.
The Spanish driver blamed himself for his first run in the final part of qualifying, after admitting he “didn’t put the lap together”.
He peeled into the pits at the end of his first lap, but then saw his second lap deleted for exceeding track limits, summing up a missed opportunity for the Spaniard.
The 41-year-old thinks eighth would’ve been possible had he hooked a good lap up, something which would’ve then seen him start in the top five.
“I tried to run but the first run was also not good,” Alonso admitted to the official Formula 1 website.
“So Q3 was not very well executed. I’m sorry for the team I didn’t put the lap together.
“Even this lap I put together apparently was only enough to be P8, so it seems we are lacking a little bit of performance in qualifying.
“We entered with only one car in Q3, so let’s see tomorrow if we can improve.”
Despite being disappointed with qualifying, Alonso could still score a good haul of points on Sunday.
Alpine’s A522 appears to be stronger in race trim rather than in one-lap pace, something which will bode well at Monza.
The Spaniard will be hoping that the likes of Sainz, Pérez and Hamilton experience difficulties making their way through the field, with all three being capable of the top 10.
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Alonso said he was expecting the front drivers who have penalties to “come eventually”.
“It seems we were better on the long runs, also yesterday in free practice compared to the single lap, so let’s hope tomorrow to add some pace,” added the Spaniard.
“We start seventh but some fast cars start at the back of the grid, so they will come eventually.”
Alonso ultimately had to retire from the race due to an overheating engine, capping off a frustrating weekend for the Spaniard.