Lewis Hamilton's sixth World Championship was met with praise from drivers past and present but the Brit himself has admitted his surprise at receiving a message of congratulations from two-time World Champion, Fernando Alonso.
Hamilton wrapped up his sixth World Championship with a P2 finish at the United States Grand Prix. It was his fifth Drivers' title with Mercedes and his third in as many years as he moved a step closer to Michael Schumacher's record of seven.
Drivers of the past and present congratulated the six-time World Champion with Sebastian Vettel's tribute one of the most poignant. However, there was one which caught Hamilton by surprise. The Brit revealed Fernando Alonso sent him a message and he admitted he was quite impressed.
"I also received a message from Fernando and I admit that I was surprised and impressed," Hamilton said as quoted by Motorsport.
"In the past we have lived so many experiences together, and in all honesty, I have always had respect for what he has achieved, for his abilities, and also for what I could see during the period he spent at McLaren.
"I can only be grateful to him for his certificate of esteem."