Ferrari's Fernando Alonso has played down criticisms from Red Bull motorsport's advisor Helmut Marko.

Marko claimed that the Spaniard failed to win the world championship last season because he was "busy with politics and funny comments".

"I enjoy reading Red Bull still think we will be the strongest rival for next year! And this even before we start testing! Flattered!!" Alonso wrote on his official Twitter page.

Red Bull's Sebastian Vettel won the world championship title for the third year in a row in 2012.