McLaren🅠 boss Zak Brown says Fernando Alonso is "buzzing" 🉐ahead of the 2017 F1 season and he believes the Spaniard is still very much the "best driver in the world, period".

Alonso has spent the last two seasons since re-joining McLaren ba🅰ttling for points and hasn't stood on the F1 podium now since Hungary 2014, when he was in his final season with Ferrari. Despite appearing "disillusioned at times", however, Brown is adamant that is not the impression he has of the two-time F1 World Champion.

"I want to correct you: I don't see Fernando as disillusioned at all," he said in an interview with the . "I don't know him well y⭕et, but I've met him a few times, and phoned him too, and I can tell you that he's buzz🦹ing.

"Also, even though our car wasn't fully competitive last season, some of his drives were stunningly good. Look, I'll be frank: I reckon he's the best driver in the world, period♕."

168澳洲5最🌸新开奖结果:Should these drivers be racing in F1?...

Brown also believes that Stoffel Vandoorne will do well in﷽ his debut season, even though his performances will be judged relative to the formid♒able Alonso.

"Stoffel faces a seri▨ous test [with Alonso as his team-mate]. But, guess what, I think he'll pass it with flying colours," Brown added. "Our perso💦nal trainers tell me he's probably the fittest driver we've ever had, and he's incredibly focused and determined. He's fiercely intelligent too - you never have to tell him anything twice.