Double Formula 1 world champion Fernando Alonso believes Robert Kubica was the best of his generation before his near-fatal rally crash in early 2011.

The Polish driver has been back in the spotlight in recent weeks after completing his first test in an F1 car with Renault prior to the Canadian Grand Prix. Combine that with speculation over the future of the struggling Jolyon Palmer and hopes are being raised over a once thought impossible comeback.

During that time Alonso, of whom Kubica replaced at Renault in 2010, welcomed the prospect and claimed the now 32-year-old was "the best", the McLaren driver was then asked to elaborate on that belief.

“I think because he won all the smaller categories,” he said. “When the go-karts were the same, when the smaller categories, you run with the same single-seater, with the same car, he was beating all the generation that are winning now. So I think he's the best. “I would be happy to see him back in Formula 1 but I don't know exactly the situation, I only read that he did the test, but I also read that Renault

“I would be happy to see him back in Formula 1 but I don't know exactly the situation, I only read that he did the test, but I also read that Renault is not considering him for next year. So I guess it's not that close that he will come back.”

Kubica had always been earmarked as a future world champion when he first started in F1 in 2006 and his breakthrough moment came with victory at the 2008 Canadian Grand Prix.

In the years following his accident, which left him with severe injuries to his right arm and limited movement, the Pole has competed in the World Rally Championship before returning to track racing at a Renault Sport Trophy event at Spa last year and subsequent tests in an LMP2 WEC car and GP3 machine earlier in 2017.

Alonso also revealed he remains in contact with Kubica, commenting: “I do speak sometimes but not as often as we could do.“After the test, for example, we didn't so I don't know exactly how it went.”

“After the test, for example, we didn't so I don't know exactly how it went.”