Fernando Alonso has warned Nico Rosberg that "anything can happen" that could prevent him from winning the 2016 title.
But the two-time world champion insists that if the German does beat Lewis Hamilton to the championship either this weekend in Brazil or in Abu Dhabi, Rosberg will have deserved it.
"Apart from last year, when Lewis was superior, the two have been very competitive and very close," Alonso told Spanish journalists at Interlagos.
"The first year (2014) the title was decided in the last race, and the difference between them now again varies between circuit and circuit.
"Nico has shown that he is a very consistent driver and generally they have been very evenly matched," he added.
A win for Rosberg in Brazil will guarantee him the crown with a race to spare, but a second place will mean a mere points finish in Abu Dhabi will be enough.
However, Alonso warned: "I have been in these positions and not won. I know that anything can happen and reliability can play an important factor."