Fernando Alonso hopes he will be able tꦦo 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, sayinඣg the Mercedes driver has had it "too easy" through 2017.

Hamiltoꦏn 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 sta🌳ges 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 allꦏ weekend and in the race. But we don’t have s🥂traight line speed," Alonso said.

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

"Starting last, finishing in the points, wa꧋s 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 kno𓂃ws how strong the McLaren is in the corners," Alonso said.

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