Fernando Alonso believes Lewis Hamilton and Mercedes had it too easy in 2017 after both secured their respective titles with races to spare, despite strong competition from Ferrari and in the latter races, Red Bull.
Mercedes took their fourth consecutive Constructors' Championship last weekend in Austin, whilst this weekend in Mexico, Hamilton took his fourth title with two rounds remaining.
Alonso says that proves it's been too easy for the champions and he is hopeful that McLaren with its new engine partner Renault, can put an end to that next season.
"He knows how strong the McLaren car is in the corners, he saw [in the race]," said Alonso, after he battled over ninth position with Hamilton for several laps.
"I think next year hopefully we can give a little bit of a harder time to him," added the Spaniard. "This year was too easy, Mercedes [with] four races to the end are Constructors' Champions, Hamilton, three races before the end is Drivers' Champion.
"Hopefully McLaren-Renault will change this easy time for them."
