Following three successive pole positions, Kimi Raikkonen missed out at the Nurburgring and again in Canada, where he qualified second and seventh respectively.

As for wins, other than the European error, the McLaren star would have scored four straight wins.

Therefore, following yesterday's convincing win in Montreal, and Renault's double failure, it came as no surprise when Mercedes Motorsport boss, Norbert Haug, sent out this war cry: "Renault had better put some warm clothes on... because the Iceman is coming," said the German.

Ever the Englishman, Ron Dennis retained his composure, though allowing himself a wry smile: "Norbert's enthusiasm is understandable," said the McLaren boss.

Looking ahead to next weekend's race at Indianapolis, he added: "Our approach is simple. We will not race strategically we are going to race to win. We will go to Indianapolis with the clear intention of trying to win it and we are not going to get into fancy mathematics.

"To win this world championship we have to win a lot more races and there is an inevitable to-ing and fro-ing that will take place," he added.