Alonso is joined at the top of the standings by McLaren team-mate Lewis Hamilton and Ferrari’s Kimi Raikkonen, while Felipe Massa in the second Ferrari is in close attendance.

At this stage there is little to separate the cars from the Woking and Maranello factories, with Alonso expecting that to remain the case all the way through to the final race in Brazil in October.

“After the fantastic start to the season and with us leading both championships, the expectation is to remain in that position, and to win both,” said Alonso.

“This is a realistic target as we are in good shape, so for the Spanish Grand Prix and the rest of the season the target should be to beat Ferrari and the rest of our opponents.

“But I see a very interesting season in front of us, I think with no opportunity to open a gap and win the championship in a relaxed way.

“I think this is impossible this year and we will see a very close fight all through the season, which will be great for the sport.”

Alonso concedes, though, he is surprised to find himself again at the head of affairs as the car has exceeded his dreams.

“It has done even more than I personally expected from the first three races,” confirmed Alonso.

“There were unknowns about the new rules, tyres, engine freeze, with many things changing from last year.

“You always expect with the first three races to be seeing what you have to do and what the others are doing as well, and then really attack from the fourth race.

“But from the first moment in Australia the performance of the car surprised me a little bit, but in a good way.

“So I am extremely happy with the car, and very, very happy to have already got my first victory for the team.

“It was one of our goals, and my personal target for the whole season, and it came very early, so I am happy for that.”

For the third successive season Alonso takes to the Circuit de Catalunya in Barcelona as leader of the championship, with the aim of following up with a third straight title.

After winning the race last year in front of his home fans for one of the greatest feelings of his career, Alonso is determined to savour such emotions again.

“I think if I had to choose just one race to win it will always be the Spanish Grand Prix,” insisted Alonso.

“For any racing driver to race at their home circuit is always something special and something you look forward to, and for me it is exactly the same.

“To be leading the championship again coming into this race, it is a fantastic feeling without a doubt.

“No one expected to be in this situation coming to the first European race.

“For me it is also good as I have been in this position coming into Spain in 2005 and 2006, and now in 2007 after moving team and after a lot of expectations.

“So three years in a row we have arrived at my home grand prix leading both championships.

“Hopefully it will not be the last, and we will do the same next year for the fourth time.”