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Hard work is yet to come - Alonso

Ferrari enjoyed a successful weekend in Monza © Getty Images

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• Drivers:
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Fernando Alonso has warned his Ferrari team that they will have to "experience some pain" if they are to maintain their fight for the championship.

At the halfway stage in the season, Ferrari were well off the pace of Red Bull and McLaren, but following victories for Alonso at Monza and Singapore, the team are back in the hunt for both the drivers' and constructors' championships.

Back-to-back victories has seen Alonso move to within 11 points of leader Mark Webber, but the Spaniard believes the title race is still wide open, and has warned that a single mistake could prove costly.

"These two consecutive wins have reduced the gap that had built up but we are definitely not leading yet," Alonso said in his official Ferrari blog.

"Now it starts getting serious, we will have to experience some pain and it is time for everyone to give their all, without taking a single backward step. There are still five drivers in the hunt for the title. So many times this year we have seen that the situation can change really quickly, so anything could still happen.

"What is certain is that if any of the five put a foot wrong, then it will be even harder for them. I stick with my belief that the key is to always finish on the podium and then do the maths in Abu Dhabi."

Alonso described his win in Monza in front of the Tofosi as a "special and unique feeling," but believes, more importantly than the points, the two wins show the capabilities of the car.

"The wins in Monza and Singapore inspire confidence, especially as they came after a difficult season, in which our championship chances have often hung by a thread," he said. "Winning on two very different types of track confirms that our car is very versatile and so we can tackle the coming races without any fear."

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.