Oct.15 (GMM) Fellow double world champion Emerson Fittipaldi says he has some sympathy for the difficulty Fernando Alonso has faced at McLaren this year.

The Brazilian, who similarly won his titles as a youngster in 1972 and 1974, told the Spanish press at an event in Barcelona on Sunday that Alonso's falling out with the British team is "very difficult" for outsiders to comment on.

"Honestly, we do not understand everything that is going on there from the outside," he said.

"For example, Fernando complained that the pressure of his tyres was wrong in Japan and China -- I think the difference was a pound, which is a lot when in formula one everything must be very precise.

"So if Fernando said this, it is because he has a reason to do so."

With the press now fascinated to know what team Alonso will drive for next year, Fittipaldi urged Ferrari to consider the 26-year-old Spaniard.

"If he went there, I think Ferrari would gain what they lost when Schumacher went away.

"Michael was really able to improve his cars and I think Alonso can do exactly the same.

"Without Schumacher, Ferrari has gone down, in my opinion. With Fernando, I can imagine Ferrari having the best car," he said.