Lewis Hamilton prepares for 300th race by hailing 'great' Fernando Alonso

Lewis Hamilton ranks Fernando Alonso as the toughest and fastest rival he has faced in his career, he said on Thursday ahead of his landmark 300th F1 race in Sunday's French Grand Prix. The 37-year-old seven-time world champion said also that he cherished the memories of his maiden Formula One event, the 2007 Australian Grand Prix in Melbourne when, aged 22, he stunned seasoned onlookers with his precocious talent. He qualified fourth and finished third, behind two-time champion Alonso, the ferocity of their competition signalling how they would battle and fall out in the season ahead.

"I think it's difficult to say who has necessarily been the strongest competitor because every time you're with someone, you're in a different place in your life," said Hamilton. "I remember the task of being alongside Fernando when I was 22. I was so young, mentally, and, of course, ok in terms of skill, but it's a lot of pressure to go up against a great like Fernando.

"I would say on pure pace, Fernando. We had some good battles. I wish we could have more.

Hopefully, he will continue to race so, hopefully, we'll have more in the future." Hamilton was promoted to McLaren's F1 team by team boss Ron Dennis who had helped guide his development. He shone immediately and claimed his first win in his sixth race, the Canadian Grand Prix, before their rivalry became embittered, leading to Alonso returning to Renault for 2008. Fifteen years later, a mellowed Alonso, now 41, said he held no grudges and had always enjoyed racing against Hamilton.