Briatore: Alonso will be champion

The British driver has finished on the podium in all seven races so far and has won the last two Grands Prix to move 10 points ahead of Alonso in the standings.

Hamilton's sensational start to his rookie season has led to many in the paddock believing that the Briton is favourite to clinch the title.

However, Briatore, Alonso's former team boss, reckons the Spaniard will eventually finish on top.

"Fernando will win, I'm 100 per cent sure," Briatore said in an interview with AS newspaper. "He knows what he needs to do. Last year there was a moment when it looked like he would lose the title. Everybody thought he was going to lose it. But pushing together we ended up winning.

"To win, he must do the same thing he did in the last four races last year. Focus on his work in the car, not let outside voices distract him. He's not alone. He has a wonderful family following him. There's Luis (his manager), who supports him. There's us, who cheer for him from the other side."

Briatore added: "I think Fernando, above all, is a champion. Like everybody, he is having difficulties to adapt to a new team. He has gone from using Michelin tyres to using Bridgestone, while Hamilton already knows the tyres from GP2.

"He (Alonso) has experience and, if the McLaren stays ahead of the Ferrari, he must remain calm, focus on himself, forget about the rest, and that way he will win the title."

Alonso, who recently admitted he was not feeling totally comfortable at McLaren, left Renault last year after five seasons with the French squad.

Briatore said he had no advice to give to McLaren boss Ron Dennis on how to help Alonso feel better within the team.

"I'm not going to teach Ron absolutely anything," he said. "I'm just saying that we built a fantastic relationship with Alonso, with the Spanish press. When I go to Spain and I feel like home.

"That's Ron's problem now. He has enjoyed a lot of success with his way of doing things. I have a different one. We are different. I'm not going to criticise him."