Carlos Sainz Jr. just quelled any doubts one may have about the Toro Rosso driver's level of admiration of country man Fernando Alonso.
Sainz, who has never hidden the fact that the two-time world champion is his ultimate role model in Formula 1, believes Alonso would have won a few more world championships had he benefitted from better machinery.
"It's like he has won five or six [championships]," said Sainz, according to Autosport.com.
"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 Senna did, is your performance every year."
With their respective teams performing on similar levels , Sainz and Alonso have been racing each other quite often lately. But Fernando Alonso believes he now has the upper hand over his junior, thanks to the McLaren's progress of late.
"We fight because the car performance is similar and we're always starting in similar positions," noted Alonso.
"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."
FEATURE: Eric Silbermann pays tribute to Ron Dennis
From the cockpit: Felipe Nasr on two precious points in Brazil
TECHNICAL ANALYSIS - Interlagos
Scene at the Brazilian Grand Prix
Quotes of the week - Interlagos
Keep up to date with all the F1 news via Facebook and Twitter
