Aug.28 (GMM) Giancarlo Fisichella has joined a growing list of F1 personalities, competitors and pundits declaring championship leader Fernando Alonso the class of the 2012 field.

Once race teammates at Renault, the pair still work together at Ferrari, where Italian and three-time grand prix winner Fisichella, 39, is a test driver.

Fisichella is quoted by Spain's El Confidencial as saying it is "incredible how he (Alonso) judges the limit of the car, the track and the tyres.

"He knows when to attack and when to look after the tyres. He is always on the limit of what he can and should be.

"At the moment he is quite a step ahead of his rivals. He is always achieving the most of what is possible and I don't think there is anyone who can do a better job than him," he added.

Another of Alonso's strengths, said Fisichella, is the way he has rallied the troops at Maranello around him.

"He is very close to the team," said the Italian. "He is frequently at Maranello, with the mechanics, playing football with them, going out to dinner with them, cycling with them.

"The human aspect is very important in formula one. The mechanics need to see someone who is good, who is fast, but they also need to feel a friendship."

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