Alonso hopes to give Hamilton 'harder time' in 2018

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

Hamilton was crowned F1 world champion for a fourth time on Sunday 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 Spaniard said he was powerless to keep his rival back.

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

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

"Starting 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 strong 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."