F1 driving is now like being an aeroplane pilot - Fernando Alonso

Carlos Sainz Jr said after the Monaco Grand Prix that while he agreed with claims F1 was no longer as physically demanding as it once was, the mental challenge was now "horrible".

Double world champion Alonso says the role of a driver in this era is more focused on making the package work efficiently rather than pushing the limit.

"You have to control everything in the best and most efficient way, that's your challenge," said Alonso, when asked by AUTOSPORT how he judged the level of F1 driving challenge.

"It is probably like an aeroplane pilot - they just have to control that everything is working fine.

"It's now difficult to push the limit because if you push at the limit something will go into a less efficient mode and that will affect the total laptime.

"You just need to make sure everything is at 100 per cent, but not yourself."

Alonso added he "probably" agreed with Sainz's assessment.

"A lot of communication going on with the team and a lot of steering wheel changes to make sure everything is running efficiently.

"Even the laptime, if you lose half a second for five laps because you're not pushing, maybe it's not even a bad idea because your tyres will be perfect condition for the coming laps and you'll gain one second per lap afterwards.

"This kind of driving is a little bit strange."

When asked if that had made driving frustrating, Alonso added: "A lot, yes."