The Spaniard drove for Ferrari from 2010 to 2014, eventually leaving the Italian squad two years before the end of his contract.

He finished runner-up in the championship three times before moving to McLaren.

Ferrari was aiming to challenge for victory from the first race of 2016 but, after 12 grands prix, it has not managed it and is now behind Red Bull in the standings.

Despite having left the team, Alonso says a winless Ferrari does not make him happy.

"I was right, because I felt it was right in 2014," said Alonso. "I had two more years [on my contract] at Ferrari but I thought it was right to go.

"Whatever results they achieved in 2015, 2016 or in the future… my time there was fantastic, and I wanted to finish with that fantastic feeling.

"But every year was more stress, because you're not winning and it seems it's your fault.

"Now it's not a relief that they are not winning or having more problems. I don't wish any problems to Ferrari, because it's a team I will always have in my heart."

The two-time champion insisted he still believes McLaren is the only team capable of putting an end to Mercedes' dominance in F1.

"In terms of my third world championship hopes, you drive for Mercedes or you drive for McLaren-Honda in the future, it's my opinion. That's the feeling from that decision," he said.

Additional reporting by Jamie Klein