That is the claim of his manager Flavio Briatore, who said the championship challenge is now a straight fight between two drivers in his stable: Spaniard Alonso and Red Bull's Mark Webber.

"Alonso will lose the world championship only with a disaster," the Italian told Sky Sport 24.

"For Vettel it's impossible, Hamilton the same. The only two who can win are Alonso and Webber," said Briatore.

"And for Alonso I see the chances at 80 per cent, except if Red Bull changes their strategy.

"For Alonso he has always driven the same way, only the Ferrari has become better and more reliable," he said.

Briatore is highly critical of Red Bull's refusal to get Sebastian Vettel to fall in line behind Webber, surmising that the Austrian team "have the best car but it seems like they're trying to lose the championship.

"And they're getting there," he added.