Alonso: 'Too easy for Hamilton - McLaren will change that!'

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Fernando Alonso says that 2017 world champion Lewis Hamilton had an easy job this year securing the title, with " no opponents".

Hamilton capitalized perfectly on a disastrous reversal of fortune which hit Ferrari and Sebastian Vettel during F1's Asian leg which started in Singapore.

The German driver had been a worthy challenger for the Mercedes man up to then, but Ferrari's blow-up enabled Hamilton and his team to march on to their respective titles.

After last year's ruthless battle with Nico Rosberg which went down to the wire, Alonso believes this year's campaign was a walk in the park for Hamilton.

"It was very easy this year, no opponents," Alonso said. "Last year he had Nico until the last race, fighting every single race."

Hamilton: 'It was a horrible way to win the title!'

For the Spaniard, next season can't come soon enough as he intends on giving this year's champion on run for his money with a Renault-powered McLaren he hopes will be the class of the field after labeling his MCL32 "the best chassis" in F1.

"This year was too easy," Alonso repeated.

"Mercedes four races to the end constructors' champion, Hamilton three races before the end drivers' champion.

"Hopefully McLaren-Renault will change this easy time for them."

Alonso added another point to his 2017 tally after crossing the line P10 in Mexico, having started 18th due to a grid drop penalty linked to an engine change.

"I think it was good - overall we start last, we finish in the points, which is a good target for us," he said.

"I think we had the speed all weekend, the car kept feeling very nice, very good handling, and good balance throughout the race."

Alonso found himself in a good tussle with Hamilton for several laps at one point as the pair fought for ninth place. A sign of things to come in 2018?

"I think he knows, he knows. He knows also how strong the McLaren car [is] in the corners, he saw also today.

"I think next year hopefully we can give a little bit harder time to him."

Phillip van Osten

Motor racing was a backdrop from the outset in Phillip van Osten's life. Born in Southern California, Phillip grew up with the sights and sounds of fast cars thanks to his father, Dick van Osten, an editor and writer for Auto Speed and Sport and Motor Trend. Phillip's passion for racing grew even more when his family moved to Europe and he became acquainted with the extraordinary world of Grand Prix racing. He was an early contributor to the monthly French F1i Magazine, often providing a historic or business perspective on Formula 1's affairs. In 2012, he co-authored along with fellow journalist Pierre Van Vliet the English-language adaptation of a limited edition book devoted to the great Belgian driver Jacky Ickx. He also authored "The American Legacy in Formula 1", a book which recounts the trials and tribulations of American drivers in Grand Prix racing. Phillip is also a commentator for Belgian broadcaster Be.TV for the US Indycar series.