Hamilton: "I admit that I was surprised and impressed" by Alonso message

Lewis Hamilton's sixth World Championship was met with praise from drivers past and present but the Brit himself has admitted his surprise at receiving a message of congratulations from two-time World Champion, Fernando Alonso.

Hamilton wrapped up his sixth World Championship with a P2 finish at the United States Grand Prix. It was his fifth Drivers' title with Mercedes and his third in as many years as he moved a step closer to Michael Schumacher's record of seven.

Drivers of the past and present congratulated the six-time World Champion with Sebastian Vettel's tribute one of the most poignant. However, there was one which caught Hamilton by surprise. The Brit revealed Fernando Alonso sent him a message and he admitted he was quite impressed.

"I also received a message from Fernando and I admit that I was surprised and impressed," Hamilton said as quoted by Motorsport.

"In the past we have lived so many experiences together, and in all honesty, I have always had respect for what he has achieved, for his abilities, and also for what I could see during the period he spent at McLaren.

"I can only be grateful to him for his certificate of esteem."