Departing McLaren driver Lewis Hamilton thinks that Red Bull and not his own team have the strongest car heading into the Japanese Grand Prix.

Despite Hamilton naming the Milton Keynes team as having the best car, he did admit that McLaren are improving and that he can still catch championship leader Fernando Alonso.

"I think the Red Bull's probably the best car," Hamilton told Sky Sports News.

"[They are] a bit better than us. [However] generally I think we've got a very good car. It's improving and it's definitely in the top three.

"[It's] a long way [to catch Alonso], but I've got a lot of faith in this team what they've been doing recently with the upgrades, I really think we have a good chance."

Hamilton is 37 points behind Alonso in the drivers' championship.