Fernando Alonso hopes he will be able to replicate the wheel-to-wheel fight ౠhe enjoyed with Lewis Hamilton in Sunday's Mexican Grand Prix on a more regular basis in Formula 1 next y𓃲ear, saying the Mercedes driver has had it "too easy" through 2017.

Hamilton was crowned F1 world champion for a fourth time on Sun𒉰day in Mexico after finishing ninth, fighting his way back through the field after first-lap contact with Ferrari rival Sebastian Vettel.

Hamilton enjoyed a close battle with Alonso in the 🉐closing stages of the race, delighting those watching in Mexico, but the Spaniar🐻d said he was powerless to keep his rival back.

"The car felt good balance all weekend and in the race. But we don’t ൲have straight line speed," Alonso said.

"🥂I spent time behind the Sauber, then Magnussen, then Hamilton. We tried to brake a bit lat𓂃er. It wasn’t possible.

"Star𒅌ting last, finishing in the points, was fun."

Alonso has 🌊long-stated the McLaren chassis is one of the strongest in the field, and hopes with a switch from Honda to Renault power units for 2018 he will be able to take the fight to the likes of Hamilton.

"I think he knows. He knows how str✃ong the McLaren is in the corners," Alonso said.

"Next year hopefully we can give a harder time to him. This year was too 🐎easy. Hopefully McLaren-Renault can give him a battle next year."