ABU DHABI -- Fernando Alonso believes Max Verstappen deserves to win the championship more than Lewis Hamilton because he's been "one step ahead" of every other Formula One driver this year.
Verstappen and Hamilton are in a winner-takes-all situation at this weekend's Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, as they are level on points at the final race of the season.
Alonso, a two-time world champion, battled Hamilton in a controversial title fight in 2007 and again in 2010. He returned to the grid this year with Alpine after two years away from F1 and said on Thursday ahead of the title decider he has been impressed with Verstappen's title challenge.