You can only beat what's in front of you, which he did. Add in his neat driving style, his few mistakes, plus his willingness to go outside his comfort zone and try different series makes him on another level. He finished 2nd in his second attempt at Le Mans in 2006 with very little experience; I doubt many other WRC drivers could do that.
He's been the best 'all round' driver competing over the last 10+ years. Which is why I have huge respect for Alonso trying other races as well.