Fernando Alonso is 'greatest driver ever', says Lewis Hamilton

And this is praise indeed from the unstoppable Brit, who has raced against blue-chip rivals such as Germany's Sebastian Vettel, four-times world champion, and even seven-times champion Michael Schumacher.

“[Fernando] has been one of the greatest drivers and, for me, arguably the greatest driver I've driven against. I wish him all the best moving on,” said Hamilton of his ex-team mate's decision to quit Formula 1 at the end of the 2018 season.

In an interview that has just been published in the Spanish media, Hamilton praised the Spaniard for sticking with the sport for so long – 17 seasons – especially in light of his failing to win a world title in 12 years, and says Alonso's lack of silverware far from reflects his ability.

But erroneous career choices may be partly to blame, since 'skill is not everything' in motorsport, Hamilton admits.

“I would say it's a shame [Fernando] is not as decorated as his ability, but sport is a very interesting machine and it's not just about being a great driver; it's also how you manoeuvre, how you play the game,” the UK prodigy admitted.

“Like a chess game, it's how you position yourself – all these different things that also are a part of the package.

“Seventeen seasons is a lot and I have huge respect for that because it's not easy – you look at all the other drivers who have gone that kind of stint, like Jenson [Button]; it's a long time. Like Kobe Bryant [basketball star], staying within a sport for such a long period of time, it's a lot of commitment, a lot of time and dedication that people might not understand or appreciate – but naturally, I can appreciate it, as I'm in the sport myself,” Hamilton concluded.

Twice-world champion Alonso's other main rival, Vettel, also believes his outgoing colleague was not to blame for his dearth of titles.

“The reason why he didn't win the last couple of years is quite clearly because he didn't have the package to win,” the German argues.

Alonso left Ferrari when the Italian scuderia was unable to offer him a competitive car, moving instead to McLaren, where he has faced the same problem.

“Obviously, the last years for [Fernando] were certainly not how he expected them to be – we all look out for ourselves and you never really understand the full picture when you're not really involved in the decision-making process, and what's going on inside the team.”

Vettel believes Alonso will do well in the other motorsport fields he intends to focus on, including endurance, and has not ruled out his old rival might return to Formula 1.

“I'm pretty sure he'll continue in racing in other categories. Maybe he'll come back; you never know,” the German concluded.

Alonso himself has hinted that if McLaren ever become competitive again, he would consider a return to Formula 1.

And his replacement – fellow Spaniard Carlos Sainz Jr – believes the British-run team may well be producing winning cars as early as next year.

Sainz, from Madrid, whose father Carlos Sainz Senior was in Formula 1, says Rénault is expecting to reach Ferrari's and Mercedes' level by the start of the 2019 season with its latest invention, the Spec C.

According to Rénault, Spec C is 'next year's engine Vaseline' and is working well with Red Bull, whose drivers are 'fairly satisfied' with its performance.

“It's a big step and it's a shame that we haven't had it this year, but I'm confident Rénault will eventually have an engine to rival those of Ferrari and Mercedes,” Sainz says.