Fernando Alonso like a six-time F1 champion - Carlos Sainz Jr

Fernando Alonso's level of performance during his Formula 1 career has been good enough to have won five or six world championships, says Carlos Sainz Jr

Alonso won the title in 2005 and 2006 with Renault and finished runner up in 2010, 2012 and 2013 when driving for Ferrari.

Sainz, who has described Alonso as his idol and admitted studying his driving, thinks his countryman would have had more than two titles if he had better machinery.

"It's like he has won five or six [championships]," said Sainz.

"What he did with that Ferrari those years was something not many people could do and what he is doing with the McLaren is standing out.

"It's just a number, the world championships.

"If you ask the whole paddock, everyone agrees he's one of the best in history.

"Championships depends on the car or being in the right place at the right moment.

"What really makes your career and your respect, like [Ayrton] Senna did, is your performance every year."

Alonso and Sainz have been battling on track recently, but the former hopes McLaren is pulling clear of battling midfield teams like Toro Rosso.

"We fight because the car performance is similar and we're always starting in similar positions," said Alonso.

"We've had some nice battles but he is way behind already in the championship so there is not any more battle.

"It was this coincidence that the two Spanish drivers we were together in the races on a couple of occasions.

"Thanks to the latest improvement of McLaren and with our new spec of engine with Honda, we've taken advantage and we are nearly 20 points in the constructors' championship and also well ahead on the drivers.

"I hope there is no more competition and in Abu Dhabi we are clear of that battle."

shares
comments

Max Verstappen steers clear of comparisons to F1 legends

Pirelli to react to F1 driver complaints faster in 2017

The factors for and against a Red Bull upset in F1’s Monaco GP

The factors for and against a Red Bull upset in F1’s Monaco GP

Plus
Plus
Formula 1
Monaco GP
Alex Kalinauckas

The factors for and against a Red Bull upset in F1’s Monaco GP The factors for and against a Red Bull upset in F1’s Monaco GP

What Aston Martin's Honda deal reveals about its true F1 mindset

What Aston Martin's Honda deal reveals about its true F1 mindset

Plus
Plus
Formula 1
Jonathan Noble

What Aston Martin's Honda deal reveals about its true F1 mindset What Aston Martin's Honda deal reveals about its true F1 mindset

Would Hamilton really be a worthwhile F1 investment for Ferrari?

Would Hamilton really be a worthwhile F1 investment for Ferrari?

Plus
Plus
Formula 1
Monaco GP
Matt Kew

Would Hamilton really be a worthwhile F1 investment for Ferrari? Would Hamilton really be a worthwhile F1 investment for Ferrari?

Why the growing pains of F1’s cost-cap era require patience

Why the growing pains of F1’s cost-cap era require patience

Plus
Plus
Formula 1
Jake Boxall-Legge

Why the growing pains of F1’s cost-cap era require patience Why the growing pains of F1’s cost-cap era require patience

Has F1 gone too far with its sprint race format tweaks?

Has F1 gone too far with its sprint race format tweaks?

Plus
Plus
Formula 1
GP Racing

Has F1 gone too far with its sprint race format tweaks? Has F1 gone too far with its sprint race format tweaks?

The crucial next steps for McLaren on its path to F1 recovery

The crucial next steps for McLaren on its path to F1 recovery

Plus
Plus
Formula 1
Alex Kalinuackas

The crucial next steps for McLaren on its path to F1 recovery The crucial next steps for McLaren on its path to F1 recovery

The bigger answer Mercedes needs from its now delayed F1 upgrades

The bigger answer Mercedes needs from its now delayed F1 upgrades

Plus
Plus
Formula 1
Jonathan Noble

The bigger answer Mercedes needs from its now delayed F1 upgrades The bigger answer Mercedes needs from its now delayed F1 upgrades

What the lessons of 2013’s mid-year tyre change mean for F1 2023's dominant team

What the lessons of 2013’s mid-year tyre change mean for F1 2023's dominant team

Plus
Plus
Formula 1
Emilia Romagna GP
Alex Kalinuackas

What the lessons of 2013’s mid-year tyre change mean for F1 2023's dominant team What the lessons of 2013’s mid-year tyre change mean for F1 2023's dominant team

Subscribe