Alonso Underestimated, Says de la Rosa

The Renault driver has taken the title despite the McLaren looking like the car to beat in the final part of the season.

Alonso has not won a race since the German Grand Prix in July, but he has benefited from a strong start to the season and from McLaren's problems to maintain his gap over Kimi Raikkonen.

De la Rosa believes Alonso's performances have been underestimated because of McLaren's superior pace.

"Really, I think people underestimate the car difference," de la Rosa told Spanish daily As.

"Fernando has been providing that extra bit, moving the Renault closer to McLaren's level of competitiveness. That's my opinion. He can't do any better because the car doesn't allow him to."

The Spanish test driver believes McLaren have only themselves to blame for losing so many points during the season.

"My team is always taking risks, but unfortunately most of the failures have been due to mistakes in quality control. It's that sad. Deep down, that's why we have lost the title," he added.

De la Rosa also believes Raikkonen's life has been easier this year because McLaren can use a third car on Fridays.

"My job is to make Kimi work the least possible, because he doesn't like to do a lot, being realistic," de la Rosa said.