Renault Hail Alonso's Off Track Abilities

Renault's engine technical director Rob White, and the team's head of engine operations Denis Chevrier, both believe that their team's climb to the top in Formula One has been helped by Alonso's ability to motivate those he works with.

"He's fantastic; he's incredibly quick on the track and looks after his equipment; he manages the race and he's inspirational to all the people behind him," said White.

"There's no question he's a well deserving World Champion and I guess there's never been a younger one. He's in complete control; he's measured. You get the impression that driving the car quickly occupies just a part of his capacity, with the other part being used to manage the race.

"But he's also very good with the people around him. And it's completely natural to him because he's a very personable person; he's not a prima donna. He's a superstar but with us he's just one of the guys."

Chevrier added: "It is amazing when you think about his age, but we've known him for a while, so we didn't expect anything else. There was really a ridiculous amount of pressure on his shoulders in Brazil, but he took it well until the red lights went off.

"From then on he was the Fernando we've always known: quick, aggressive, taking just the necessary risks but not more, mastering the conditions to perfection from the start to the finish of the race.

"He's an extraordinary champion. We're very proud of him, this was a great season with our fight with McLaren, but what's really satisfying is that the championship was won by an outstanding sportsman."