'Don't count your chickens' says Todt

Despite its massive points advantage, he warned his team they could still lose both the drivers' and constructors' championships.

Todt was speaking as Michael Schumacher prepares for his first chance of the season to wrap up his fourth world title at the Hungarian Grand Prix. All he needs is a victory or to score three points more than David Coulthard to guarantee the crown.

"We arrive in Hungary leading both championships and for the first time this season it is mathematically possible for us to take the drivers' and constructors' titles," he said. "Despite this we are approaching the weekend prudently with our feet firmly on the ground because we know that it is actually possible for us to lose both championships.

"We have seen that it does not take much to have a problem, an accident, or suffer with a lack of reliability," he continued. "We know the world of racing too well to count our chickens before they hatch.

"Obviously we are favourites. We know this, but we will tackle the Hungarian Grand Prix like any other so far. We will try and get both cars onto the podium."

Despite his reservations, Ferrari and Schumacher are outright favourites and the question is more when the title will be won, not if.

Schumacher has a 37 point lead and Coulthard needs to win four of the last five races to stand the remotest chance of taking the title - and that assumes the German, who has won 10 of the last 17 races, does not score another point.

Ferrari can also win the constructors' title for the third season in a row with a one-two finish.