Current McLaren-Honda best team of my F1 career, Alonso believes

Though three top-five finishes in two years are the best the double world champion and 32-time grand prix winner has to show for his stint back at Woking so far, he says his current situation eclipses anything he experienced with former employers Ferrari and Renault or in his previous McLaren stint.

"I'm happy, I'm with the best team of my career," said Alonso.

"The level of knowledge and detail that I found here is probably the best.

"The analysis, the work in the factory, the philosophy of designing the car is completely different to what I was used to.

"The driver input and the driver implications are much greater here so we're just missing a competitive car.

"For organisation and things like that, the team is just amazing."

Alonso rejoined McLaren at the end of 2014 after bringing to an end his five-year tenure at Ferrari, which included 11 race victories, 43 podium finishes and runner-up spots in the drivers' championship on three occasions in 2010, '12 and '13.

His points tally from the first two years of his current deal is 88% shy of what he scored in his first two years at Ferrari, but Alonso insists he has no regrets about leaving the Italian team - especially given its 2016 form dip.

"I had a fantastic five years in Ferrari," he said.

"I think if I was racing [for Ferrari] in these two years, I probably would be in a situation now [where I would be] very frustrated, very sad - sixth instead of second.

"At least when I was there I was fighting for the championship until the last race,

"Now it seems they are fifth and sixth behind even Red Bull so the situation could be worse.

"I had this fantastic feeling and this big love for Ferrari, but it was the right time to say 'bye, bye' because I wanted to stop on a high."