By Elmar Dreher, DPA
Magny-Cours (France) : McLaren-Mercedes head into this weekend's French Formula One Grand Prix at Magny-Cours full of confidence and looking to secure a fourth race win in succession.
Lewis Hamilton took the chequered flag in Montreal and Indianapolis to sit top of the drivers' standings with 58 points after seven of 17 races, 10 clear of McLaren team-mate Fernando Alonso, winner of two races himself this season.
Ferrari's Felipe Massa lies a distant third on 39 points with Kimi Raikkonen in the second Ferrari a further seven points adrift, but despite this cushion over their nearest rivals Mercedes motorsport boss Norbert Haug has warned the team against complacency.
"Ferrari could beat us in the morning if don't continue to improve our race pace," Haug told DPA.
Haug said that even though McLaren have now won three races on the trot, he would not be making the mistake of announcing future victories.
"Success is transitory and is the result of hard work," he said. "What we require is complete reliability from a human and a technical standpoint."
The German also discounted the suggestion that McLaren have not faced a serious challenge on the track since Alonso won the Monaco GP ahead of Hamilton at the end of May.
"Ferrari are strong, BMW-Sauber are giving their all and trying everything, Renault are reigning world champions," said Haug.
"If we had no competition we wouldn't need to be pushing like we are. Without a shadow of a doubt, Formula One is experiencing the toughest season in its history."
Haug refused to be drawn on the ongoing battle between two-time champion Alonso and the 22-year-old Hamilton, who has proven himself a revelation by sitting top of the standings with seven podium finishes in his first seven F1 races.
"Without doubt Lewis has had a dream start in Formula One and I don't believe anyone who claims not to be surprised by it," said Haug.
"Both our boys know that they are spurring each other on with their performances."
While McLaren head into the race weekend in relaxed mood, Ferrari, and Kimi Raikkonen in particular, travel to France hoping to close the gap on the leading team.
The Finn has scored just 10 points in his last four GPs and currently lies a massive 26 points behind Hamilton.
However, a fourth-place finish in the US GP followed up by some strong testing at Silverstone last week sees Raikkonen more upbeat than in recent weeks.
"Last week was a perfect week," he said.
"We had a very good test in Silverstone. The car was much better than at the races in North America. So I'm really very confident of the race in Magny-Cours."