Alonso backs Hamilton to claim more championships

Fernando Alonso believes that Lewis Hamilton will go into the 2019 Formula 1 season as the favourite to win the drivers' championship, which would put him one behind the tally of Michael Schumacher, but struggled to confirm Hamilton's status among the best ever drivers.

Max Verstappen one the Mexican Grand Prix on Sunday, but Hamilton's points gained meant that he was crowned as champion for the fifth time at the expense of Sebastian Vettel of Ferrari.

With regards to naming Hamilton as one of the top drivers in history, Alonso claims it is difficult to compare performers from different eras, but did suggest the Brit is the favourite to go on and win another title next season.

“It’s difficult to rank in different times, different eras of Formula 1," said Alonso.

"Some of the championships you are fighting until the last race, some of the championships you are winning against your team-mate. Arguably Lewis lost with Nico [Rosberg] one of those championships.

“But he is one of the top so I think he should be happy with that. And it’s not finished yet. I think next year he starts as a favourite again so that is a good thing."

However, Alonso reckons that Hamilton has certainly been aided by having a hugely competitive car in each of his championship wins.

“I think we all could have a run in championships like Lewis had or Sebastian [Vettel] had – he won four championships and he had half a second or one second advantage to the next car," the Spaniard continued.

"That was the right time and the right moment and the right car. You need to be on those places to win that amount of championships.”

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