As reported by: BBC News
New world champion Fernando Alonso can already be classed as an all-time Formula One great, according to the head engineer at his Renault team.

F1 veteran Pat Symonds, who has worked with Michael Schumacher and Ayrton Senna, says Alonso is just as good.

"Fernando is up there. He's got all those attributes," Symonds said.

"Ayrton, Michael, Fernando - they all share this ability to get the most from what they've got, to do just a little bit more when it's needed."

In an exclusive interview with BBC Sport, Symonds said that while there are many drivers in F1 who are fast, very few have the all-round ability and extra spark to make them great.

"The obvious attribute - driving a car fast - there are a number of them who possess that," he said.

"Some of them maybe have it only on their day, but there are others who possess it pretty well all the time. But that doesn't mean they're going to be champions.

"There's far more to it than that. And it's those other slightly less tangible things that mark the champions out and Fernando's got them - the self-confidence and self-belief."


Article By: BBC News