New Aston Martin ambassador Pedro de la Rosa says if the F1 team is as competitive as Alonso and always honest with the Spaniard, it won't have any issues with the two-time world champion.
At 41, Alonso will open another chapter in his F1 career when he moves from Alpine to Aston Martin next season.
The 32-time Grand Prix winner has a reputation for sometimes stirring the pot wherever he goes. But de la Rosa, who worked alongside his countryman at Ferrari and McLaren, believes that a team's straightness and honesty are key to it enjoying a good working relationship with Alonso.
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"I don't think that Fernando is a difficult guy to handle. He's just very genuine, very honest," says de la Rosa whose role with Aston Martin will involve media and marketing responsibilities.
"The fact that English is not his native tongue sometimes make him a bit harsh when he tries to describe things.
"But he's very honest. And what he tells you is what he feels about the car, about the team, about how to be competitive.
"So as long as you always tell him exactly what's going on, and what is the truth, you will never have a problem with him.
"But the moment you try to hide information or he feels that you are trying to keep some information aside, you will have problems.
"He is just a very competitive individual. That's the reality. If you are as competitive as him, you won't have any problem with Fernando."
As F1's senior citizen, Alonso is in the sunset of his career in Formula 1. But de la Rosa insists the man from Oviedo still has the energy and drive of a spring chicken, not to mention his outstanding skills that remain intact.
"I've always said that there are possibly three drivers that are special in F1, and I won’t say which names, but Fernando has always been there," added the former Grand Prix driver.
"I've always said that Fernando is one of the best drivers in the history of F1, and when I said this a few years ago, everyone thought I was crazy.
"But I'm still crazy because I think he's unique, and he's fully motivated: which is also a very, very, very important detail in the life of a F1 driver, especially when you get to 40 years old.
"I've been there with 40 as well. So I know a bit. That's why I think Fernando arrives in the best of his talent and his peak of performance."
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