Fernando Alonso: How two-time world champion’s career has gone downhill

Fernando Alonso is a two-time world champion with a raft of statistics to back up claims that he is one of the most talented drivers ever to race in Formula 1.

But it's been a rough couple of years for the 34-year-old Spaniard, whose return to McLaren has not gone as planned.

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The raw statistics are impressive enough — sixth in the all-time winners' list, second in total points, third-highest number of podiums in history.

But the most impressive thing about Alonso is that he has achieved those feats despite hardly ever having the fastest car.

At 34 and coming up for three years since his last win, he remains the drivers' driver.

He may not be quite the fastest on one lap, but he is arguably the best and most complete on the grid.

Remorseless and relentless, Alonso is one of the very few who can be relied upon to get the best out of whatever car he is given to drive, in whatever circumstances.

He arguably gets closer to the limit more often than anyone else.

Alonso may have won just two world titles, but, over his career, is eight points short of being a five-time champion, after narrowly missing out in 2007, 2010 and 2012.

He can blame himself for one of those near-misses — he had a meltdown at McLaren alongside Lewis Hamilton in 2007 — but the other two were definitely not his fault.

And four titles would be about what he deserves.

In 2012, he put together one of the greatest seasons by any driver ever.

Some of his victories — in Malaysia in a car that could not qualify in the top 10 at the previous race — would not have been achieved by another driver. Some of his overtaking moves defy belief.

Memories and achievements like that are indelible, no matter how his career ultimately comes to an end.

Double world champion at 25