Piquet: Everywhere Alonso goes in a 'mess'

Former Formula One world champion Nelson Piquet has provided some scathing words on the career of Fernando Alonso and believes the 'politically bad' Spaniard always leaves whichever team he goes to in a 'mess' and this is the reason why he has not claimed more F1 titles.

Alonso is recognised as being one of the most talented drivers on the circuit, but has not won a world championship for over a decade, with some F1 commentators lamenting his decision-making at crucial times during his career.

He is perhaps currently in one of the most barren spells of his career as McLaren's partnership with Honda over the past few years has been dogged by reliability issues.

Alonso is set to take part in the upcoming Daytona 24 Hours to try and gain some success again, but Piquet thinks he would have had more championships in F1 if he wasn't so bad at the political side of the sport.

"Fernando Alonso has had the chance to win up to five world championships, but the reality is that there is always a mess wherever he is," Piquet told La Sexta.

"He is a fantastic driver, but also one who generates a lot of problems and in the end everyone ends up leaving the team.

"He is very bad politically in his work on the team. When you arrive on a team, at first you must be patient and work together, and later you win.

"But he always wants the best [straight away], and that is not the best way."

Piquet does not think Alonso is a bad driver, however, and even claimed the Spaniard was on part with current world champion, Lewis Hamilton.

"I do not think Alonso is better. I think they are at the same level," he added.