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Cape Town - Sergio Perez believes Fernando Alonso's plight shows "how bad F1 is" given that one of the best drivers in the world, is scrapping just to score points.
Moving to McLaren in 2015 on the back of one too many runner-up results with Ferrari, Alonso had hoped to return the Woking team to race winning form.
Instead he struggled just to finish races with the Honda engine that powered McLaren's car falling short of the mark.
The team swapped to Renault power for this year's campaign with much expected.
It wasn't delivered.
Alonso found himself firmly entrenched in Formula 1's midfield, battling just to score a point on a grand prix.
And that, Perez says, is a poor reflection in Formula 1.
"It shows how bad F1 is, you have one of the best drivers in the world fighting in the midfield, trying to get some points every weekend," said the Force India driver.
"You put him in another car and he wins the championship. That’s just where F1 is at the moment. We are all in that boat.
"He has also been very lucky in his career that he had some very competitive cars and was able to win some titles, he has massive talent and he deserves the success he has had in his career and I wish him all the best.
"Maybe he will come back? Who knows."
Perez reckons F1 will be a poorer place for losing Alonso.
"He’s a great driver. Fantastic personality as well. A great character," he added.
"He loves racing. I have a lot of respect for him for what he has achieved in the sport but also for what he is trying to do out of the sport, with all the other titles that he is chasing.
"I think he’s definitely a great character for the sport and it’s a shame we lose him."
To date Alonso has confirmed he will race in next year's Indianapolis 500 and will confirm more racing plans as they fall into place.
