Alonso’s latest victory was the most fortuitous, with McLaren rival Kimi Raikkonen crashing out of the lead on the last lap at the Nurburgring to hand maximum points to the 23-year-old.

That last-lap agony left Raikkonen with a mountain to climb in the championship, despite McLaren’s current speed advantage over Renault.

He is 32 points behind and no matter what happens in the next few grands prix, the Finn will start round 11 in Britain on July 10 behind Alonso in the championship.

Despite that cushion, Alonso refuses to consider the title until the 19-race season reaches its closing stages.

He said: “Everybody starts talking about the championship now just because I have a big lead, but we have only had just over one third of the season so far.

“This is not when you win a title – that comes in the final races. Until then, we are focusing on each race as it comes, and trying to do the maximum at every circuit.”

Alonso revealed his lucky win at the Nurburgring came at just the right time to lift flagging spirits following a disappointing race at Monaco where tyre difficulties restricted the Spaniard to fourth.

He added: “It was a great race, and a fantastic one to win, although it would have been quite tough to catch Kimi, I think.

“Especially, it was a good win for the team, not just me, because we were feeling quite down after our performance in Monaco and this was the perfect way for us to fight back, and show everybody we are serious contenders for the title.”

Alonso believes the Nurburgring result could prove to be a turning point in his season.

Renault were second best in Spain and Monaco as Raikkonen moved back into the title hunt but Alonso’s display in Germany signalled a return to winning ways.

Although he was lucky to see Raikkonen pitched out of the race by a suspension failure, Alonso had been close to the pace all weekend and a more conservative decision on tyre choice avoided the problems suffered by McLaren.

Alonso said: “I said after the Nurburgring that during the race, the car had felt good to drive again. I could attack all the way to the end of the race, and did not have to be defensive like in Spain and Monaco.

“I hope that will be true again in Canada. Every year I have been there with Renault, we have been quick in Montreal; in 2003 I set fastest lap, and in 2004 we were in a position to win.

“So with this year’s car, there is no reason not to expect a podium or perhaps the victory, as long as we have no problems during the weekend.

“I am really confident that the car will be competitive there.”