World championship leader Fernando Alonso has conceded to "feeling invincible" at times this season.
Alonso currently holds a 26-point lead over nearest rival Kimi Raikkonen in the drivers standings, with reigning world champion Michael Schumacher a further eight points behind going into this weekend's German Grand Prix at Hockenheim.
The Renault star has enjoyed five victories this year, and been on the podium a further three occasions, leaving the Spaniard on course to become the youngest winner of Formula One's prized crown.
Alonso, who turns 24 in nine days' time, certainly feels as one with his car as he draws ever closer to ending Schumacher's fiveyear reign with Ferrari.
"It is very difficult to explain what you feel as a driver inside the car," said Alonso.
"There are so many different factors to make a quick car in F1, but sometimes everything is suddenly working perfectly, maybe just two laps in a whole weekend.
"And when that happens, it is an amazing feeling. It seems like there are no limits at all - you almost feel invincible."
Schumacher, however, is refusing to throw in the towel on a season that is slipping away from the seven- times world champion.
Such is the Ferrari driver's desire to thrust himself back into contention, he has unusually agreed to drive at Mugello today, just days ahead of his home grand prix, to test a new aerodynamics package for Hockenheim.
Schumacher insists Alonso and Raikkonen can still be caught in the title race.
" Contrary to many other people's opinions, we have by no means written ourselves off, even though we have to admit the situation has worsened recently, rather than improved," said Schumacher. "But that doesn't mean it can't be improved again, and that's exactly what we're working on."
