Fernando Alonso says it should be no surprise that Max Verstappen is closing in on a second title, with him offering big praise to the Dutchman.

The Alpine driver is likely to see Verstappen go past him in terms of the number of wins they've recorded in F1 before the end of this campaign, and is almost certainly going to see Max draw level with him in terms of championships won.

Indeed, the Spaniard became a back-to-back world champion in 2006 after beating Michael Schumacher in the Ferrari and, though the Scuderia have been the closest challengers again this year, Verstappen has had it a lot easier against them in 2022 than Alonso did 16 years ago.

Fernando Alonso's praise for Max Verstappen

Max Verstappen & Fernando Alonso after Canadian GP qualifying

MONTREAL, QUEBEC - JUNE 18: Pole position qualifier Max Verstappen of the Netherlands and Oracle Red Bull Racing talks with Second placed qualifier Fernando Alonso of Spain and Alpine F1 in parc ferme during qualifying ahead of the F1 Grand Prix of Canada at Circuit Gilles Villeneuve on June 18, 2022 in Montreal, Quebec. (Photo by Dan Mullan/Getty Images)

Discussing the championship battle, with Max on the brink of winning a second crown this weekend at the Japanese Grand Prix, Alonso said:

"It was not much of a fight!"

"Red Bull and Max Verstappen, they were outstanding. There was not a fight maybe because Red Bull and Max were better than the others. But they didn't have that superior a car, because I guess Ferrari's is the same or better."

Alonso also delivered huge praise for Verstappen and his talents, notably his ability to be at full speed from the very get-go in FP1 and maintain that level over an entire race weekend:

"You cannot teach that, I think it has to come from yourself," said Alonso.

"There are drivers that need more time, to study more data; they need all Friday to analyse and compare with a teammate and slowly make little steps until they are 100% ready for qualifying.

"And there are others that they are 100% in FP1. So I think Max is one of those and he has been always like that, from go-karts to now. So it should not be a surprise [he's going to be a double world champion] for anyone."

Max Verstappen: Two-time champion of the world

Max Verstappen celebrates winning the 2022 Belgian GP

SPA, BELGIUM - AUGUST 28: Race winner Max Verstappen of the Netherlands and Oracle Red Bull Racing celebrates on the podium during the F1 Grand Prix of Belgium at Circuit de Spa-Francorchamps on August 28, 2022 in Spa, Belgium. (Photo by Mark Thompson/Getty Images)

Max is on the verge of becoming a double world champion and will join the likes of Alonso, Mika Hakkinen and Jim Clark if he can do so.

Rarified company and with several years left in his career, there's time for him to move himself even further up the list of the greats in the sport.

Max's focus will be on getting a good result in Suzuka this weekend, though, after what he described as a 'terrible' weekend last time out at Singapore.

READ MORE: MAX VERSTAPPEN TITLE PERMUTATIONS FOR THE JAPANESE GRAND PRIX

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