<p>Double Formula One world champion Fernando Alonso tested McLaren's 2019 car for the first time on Tuesday and declared it a step up on the one he raced last year before leaving the sport.</p>.<p>The 37-year-old Spaniard last drove a Formula One car in November but he was at the Bahrain circuit in a tyre testing role as well as to get a feel for the new car and provide feedback.</p>.<p>"The car is a step forward in every aspect from last year," he said. "The car has more grip, it's less draggy on the straights, the engine is a step better, so overall as a package the car is going in the right direction and we're closer to the front.</p>.<p>"We saw in the first two races that there is still another step to make if you want to compete with the top three teams, but as a first step I think it's a good baseline and there's a good programme of development."</p>.<p>Former champions McLaren scored their first points of the season in Bahrain last Sunday when British rookie Lando Norris finished sixth. The 19-year-old has qualified in the top-10 in both his races so far.</p>.<p>Spaniard Carlos Sainz has suffered two retirements but qualified seventh in Bahrain.</p>.<p>Champions Mercedes have had one-two finishes in both races with Ferrari and Red Bull also on the podium.</p>
<p>Double Formula One world champion Fernando Alonso tested McLaren's 2019 car for the first time on Tuesday and declared it a step up on the one he raced last year before leaving the sport.</p>.<p>The 37-year-old Spaniard last drove a Formula One car in November but he was at the Bahrain circuit in a tyre testing role as well as to get a feel for the new car and provide feedback.</p>.<p>"The car is a step forward in every aspect from last year," he said. "The car has more grip, it's less draggy on the straights, the engine is a step better, so overall as a package the car is going in the right direction and we're closer to the front.</p>.<p>"We saw in the first two races that there is still another step to make if you want to compete with the top three teams, but as a first step I think it's a good baseline and there's a good programme of development."</p>.<p>Former champions McLaren scored their first points of the season in Bahrain last Sunday when British rookie Lando Norris finished sixth. The 19-year-old has qualified in the top-10 in both his races so far.</p>.<p>Spaniard Carlos Sainz has suffered two retirements but qualified seventh in Bahrain.</p>.<p>Champions Mercedes have had one-two finishes in both races with Ferrari and Red Bull also on the podium.</p>