Alonso hits out over easy ride for Lewis

FERNANDO ALONSO has claimed Lewis Hamilton's world championships are not as valuable as those won by Max Verstappen.

Hamilton shares the record of seven titles with Michael Schumacher, but speaking ahead of today's Mexican Grand Prix, Alonso, 41, suggested both men owed their success to only having to beat their respective team-mates.

Alonso won consecutive championships in 2005 and 2006 with Renault - bringing Schumacher's era of dominance to an end - while Verstappen saw off Hamilton in last season's highly contentious title fight.

The Dutchman followed that up by securing this season's title with four rounds to spare in his superior Red Bull machinery.