Fernando Alonso has claimed that his decision to criticise McLaren's Honda engine was key to the improvements made recently.

The Spaniard called the engine "embarrassing" this season and repeatedly voiced his displeasure, but the two-time world champion believes that Honda have taken his comments on board to ensure McLaren are more competitive in the future.

"The actions we need to take next year to be competitive [are] quite extreme," Alonso, who finished 17th in the title race this season, told BBC Sport.

"For big problems you need big solutions, and I think maybe that helped a bit for the big solutions."

Alonso and Jenson Button combined to deliver just 27 points for McLaren this season.