Alonso rates his overall qualities: 'I score 9 in everything'

Fernando Alonso believes he is one of Formula 1's most complete drivers, the Spaniard handing himself a nine out of ten grade in all aspects his job.

The two-time F1 world champion will return to the fray next year with Renault after a two-year absence from the sport, although the 39-year-old has remained active on other fronts in motorsport.

By his own reckoning, Alonso says that Renault - or Alpine as the French outfit will be called from 2021 - will renew its partnership with one of Grand Prix racing's most complete participants.

"I must agree, I consider myself to be quite complete – maybe I score nine in everything," said Alonso, speaking at a press conference promoting the release of an Amazon Prime documentary series untitled 'Fernando'.

"Maybe there’s a faster driver in wet conditions or on Saturday or on the starting line, one that’s better than me…

"But I think I’m close to the top in many circumstances and categories, and in the championship that’s a good thing to have.

"It’s like when you have any top athlete doing good in every single category, in the end you win."

In recent years, Alonso has broadened his horizons, winning the Le Mans 24 Hours with Toyota, twice, returning to Indianapolis for a second attempt at winning the Indy 500 and sampling the world of rally-raid by taking part in the legendary Dakar event.

• Read also: Alonso singles out Formula 1's biggest contradiction

The 32-time Grand Prix winner believes his eclecticism in motorsport has served him well.

"Throughout my career, when the engines were V10 or V8, we were there all the time, with Michelin, Pirelli, we were still there in the top positions," he said.

"The wet conditions were always good for me, and now when I’ve gone to other categories, to go to the Dakar Rally and be amongst the top five was a good surprise for me.

"To jump in a car and… be able to lead in the Indy 500 was a surprise to me.

"So you discover yourself as a driver who can adapt to any car, circumstance or category, and you start to harness that for your own benefit.
"You’re aware of your limitations – you try to hide them to not give any openings to your rivals or opponents.

"But your qualities, you try to emphasise them. And that’s what I intend to do – I try to emphasise them better than others."

Gallery: The beautiful wives and girlfriends of F1 drivers

Keep up to date with all the F1 news via Facebook and Twitter