Is Fernando Alonso's career is coming to an end?

Sao Paulo - Fernando Alonso is edging towards the end of his Formula 1 career, according to former Renault team mate Nelson Piquet jr.

Now 30, the Brazilian's own F1 career ended in 2009, after the explosion of the 'crashgate' scandal that was triggered by his deliberate crash in Singapore.

Even the best must quit

His then team mate, Alonso, went on to win that controversial Singapore race, but Piquet claims the Spaniard's useful life in F1 is now nearing its own end.

Piquet, now the inaugural and reigning champion of Formula E, told the Spanish newspaper AS: "I think he's the best driver, but he's at the end of his career.

Read: Alonso to quit F1 in 2017?

"If you don't have a car to win there is nothing you can do about it. It has happened to me as well - last year (2015) I was champion, but this year I'm not ahead."

That aside, however, Piquet says there is "no comparison" between F1 and the electric single seater series.

But he also says F1 has changed almost unrecognisably since his last season in 2009: "They are like different sports."

Asked his opinion about the growing battle between Mercedes, Red Bull and Ferrari in 2016, Piquet added: "I don't know - I'm no F1 expert."