Hamilton: Alonso thought he controlled driver market four years ago

Lewis Hamilton believes Fernando Alonso thought he "controlled" the driver market when he left Ferrari in 2014.

In 2007, a young Hamilton and a peak Alonso went head-to-head in an intense battle for the world title, whilst they were both driving for McLaren; but the two-horse race was won by a third horse in Kimi Raikkonen.

The two have not battled against each other since for the title, and Hamilton, who became a five-time world champion in Mexico last weekend; believes Alonso's mistake was letting go of his seat at Ferrari in 2014.

Ferrari replaced the Spaniard with four-time world champion Sebastian Vettel and Hamilton thinks Alonso only ended up at McLaren because he couldn't sign for Mercedes or Red Bull.

"I don't regret he didn't go in a better car," Hamilton said to Autosport. "I know he could have won more titles. But ultimately, it's not like he didn't have opportunities.

"He was a top driver and he could go almost where he wanted to go. And decisions are very key. He believed he controlled it (in 2014). In my understanding, as soon as he gave up the position (at Ferrari), Seb (Vettel) grabbed it and then it's not like he could go back.

"Then he was like: 'I'll go for Seb's spot (at Red Bull)'. But then they filled it. And then he was like, 'Oh, shit'. And there was no place where I was (at Mercedes). But I have so much respect for him.

"He is a phenomenal driver and through these years his respect level has still remained very high - how he has driven, and how he has conducted himself exploring outside (F1) in different realms.

"I could make the decision to leave this team and go somewhere else, which would be a risk, and that decision could either bode well or go bad for me."