Alonso relying on problems for Hamilton

Hamilton continued with his flawless season in France last Sunday, scoring his eighth consecutive podium while Alonso could only finish in seventh after being hit by trouble in qualifying.

Alonso has seen the gap to Hamilton increase in the last three races, and the rookie is now 14 points ahead with nine Grands Prix remaining.

Despite Ferrari dominating the French race, two-time champion Alonso admits he is more concerned about closing the gap to Hamilton.

"I have to be more worried about Lewis," the Spaniard was quoted as saying by AS newspaper. "Right now I have to make up ground to Lewis, who is leading the championship, and we'll start with the next race at Silverstone, God willing.

"Some day the gearbox problems that I had, or the safety car, or something else will affect him and I hope to be able to be there to reduce the gap by six or eight points in one race.

"I had to make up 11 points (before France) and now I have to make up 15. But on Saturday I thought I could lose 10 and in the end it was only four."