Fernando Alonso has backed Max Verstappen in the F1 drivers' title race should it go down to the final race of the season in Abu Dhabi.
The four-time world champion has found great form since Red Bull introduced its new floor in the Italian GP, bringing him back into genuine title contention.
Based on Verstappen's form, he is on-track to catch the McLaren duo of Oscar Piastri and Lando Norris.
Many suspect that the title will be decided in December at the Yas Marina Circuit, something which has not happened since 2021.
In 2021, the title fight between Verstappen and Lewis Hamilton was decided on the last lap, following a series of controversial decisions by former race director Michael Masi.
Verstappen has experience of fighting for a title in the last round and emerging victorious, something Piastri and Norris do not have.
Asked what makes Verstappen such an incredible talent, Alonso said: "Well, I think he's a four-time world champion, first of all. That’s not a casual thing. He’s one of the best drivers in the history of the sport.
"I think he’s able to extract the maximum from the car. When the car is a dominant car, he can win the championship and break some records along the season.
"And when the car is not that good or not the fastest, he still provides the good lap in qualifying, or the good race, the good fight.
"He’s at a very good level, very high level. And, yeah, this year he's obviously fighting against a superior car, which is the McLaren. But, yeah, if it comes to the last race or whatever and they are tight on points, maybe in that moment he becomes the man to follow.
"As I said before, I think the two McLarens have enough advantage on the car to fight between them. But, yeah, with Max, that can happen, as we saw in 2021 when the car was a little bit less performing than the Mercedes. He still won the championship in Abu Dhabi."
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