Alonso: Hamilton one of F1’s five greatest champions

Fernando Alonso has revealed who he believes are the top five greatest Formula 1 world champions in the history of the sport, ruling himself out of the equation.

With Lewis Hamilton on the verge of sealing a fifth world title to become just the third driver in history to win five or more championships – a feat he can achieve at this weekend’s United States Grand Prix – Alonso was asked to name his outright top five world champions of all time.

The Spaniard said his former McLaren teammate deserves to be on the list, though there was no place for fellow four-time world champion Sebastian Vettel, who claimed four successive titles with Red Bull between 2010 and 2013.

“I would probably say Michael [Scumacher], [Juan Manuel] Fangio, [Ayrton] Senna, [Alain] Prost and Lewis [Hamilton]. This would probably be the top five for me,” Alonso said during the FIA drivers’ press conference in Austin.

“It is difficult to compare those different times and different championships but Lewis matching Fangio with five will be a great achievement,” he added.

“If one had to do that in our generation, I am happy it is Lewis as he has showed the talent and commitment.

“When the car is dominating then he delivers and when it is not good enough to win a world championship he still puts in the performance to show his talent.

“That is difficult to see nowadays.”

Asked by Red Bull’s Daniel Ricciardo if Alonso considered himself to be on the list, the two-time world champion replied: “No, not really.”