Fernando Alonso believes arch-rival Lewis Hamilton cannot win the Formula One drivers' championship despite the Briton topping the points standings.

Hamilton's victory in Monaco last Sunday saw him move ahead of reigning champion Kimi Raikkonen and Felipe Massa, but Alonso believes the Ferrari duo are still strong favourites.

"I see the favourites still as the two Ferraris, by a long way. I don't think Hamilton can win it," Alonso told Cadena SER radio.

"It is too early to say where the world championship is going. The lead at the top of drivers' standings is changing hands after every race - even [Robert] Kubica in fourth place is just a stone's throw away."

Alonso clashed with Hamilton last season when the pair were McLaren team-mates, and their bitter rivalry led to the Spaniard's return to Renault, where he won the 2005 and 2006 world title.

The pair swapped the lead in the standings several times last season, only for Raikkonen to pip them at the post after Hamilton threw away a 17-point lead over the Finn in the final two races.

Alex Chick / Eurosport