It's not so simple. The driver has control over how to deploy the power (electric and combustion) in the steering wheel.

http://www.thisisf1.com/2016/05/16/explained-2016-f1-steerin...

So engineers and Alonso had to agree beforehand on motor maps and different steering wheel parameters. It's not clear if it's a problem in the software or an issue in the parametrization of the car for that qualy lap.