Ferrari’s Fernando Alonso has tipped Lewis Hamilton to win races this season, despite his move from McLaren to Mercedes, and sees the Briton as more the man to watch than triple champion Sebastian Vettel.

Speaking to reporters yesterday at the Italian Formula One team’s ‘Wrooom’ media event at the Dolomites ski resort of Madonna di Campiglio, the Spaniard singled out his former McLaren team-mate as the strongest rival.

“Who is the strongest opponent, the strongest driver on the grid? Who is the one you have to keep an eye on? It is Hamilton – and it will still be Hamilton next year,” he said.

“I am sure he will be able to win.

“He is a super good driver because he won every year with any car. He won in 2007 and 2008. In 2009 they started around two seconds off the pace with the McLaren and Hamilton was able to win races. And it was the same in 2010.”

Hamilton made his Formula One debut alongside Alonso at McLaren in 2007 and ended the season as overall runner-up, ahead of the double champion although tied on points, with four victories and podium finishes in his first nine races.

The Briton remains the only team-mate to have beaten Alonso over the course of a season.