F1 2018: Top 5 Driver Performances

#3 Fernando Alonso

Fernando Alonso arguably had one of his best seasons in F1 but had nothing to show for it.

The second half of Fernando Alonso's Formula 1 career is a tragic example of "what could've been" and being in the wrong place at the wrong time.

Regardless of what you think about the Spaniard's ability to rally a team around him, he's one of the fastest drivers in the history of motor racing.

Alonso spent four years McLaren in what was a whimper of a swansong, not even managing to stand on the podium once in that time.

That wasn't due to Fernando's lack of speed, far from it, in 2018 he completed drubbed his teammate, Stoffel Vandoorne.

Alonso out-qualified Vandoorne in all 21 races, the first man to do so since Fernando himself managed it back in 2008.

There were some great racing performances too, not least when Alonso finished fifth and ahead of Max Verstappen in a far superior Red Bull at the opening round of the season.

That was as good as it got for the double world champion, though, as McLaren failed to develop their car through the year and the Woking team slid further and further down the grid, culminating with their worst qualifying in almost 40 years at Brazil.

An 11th placed driver's championship finish may not seem very special, but take nothing away from Alonso, he was without a doubt one of the best performers of the season yet again.

We'll miss you, Fernando, and if he completes the triple crown, it'll be going to a very worthy winner.