Alonso not giving up on title yet

Highlights - Hamilton wins in Belgium

Ferrari's Fernando Alonso is not giving up on the 2010 title despite falling further behind in the championship.

Alonso, who spun out of Sunday's Belgian Grand Prix, is 41 points behind McLaren's Lewis Hamilton, who leads the title hunt with six races to go.

But the Spaniard said: "I am convinced we still have a significant chance.

"There are 150 points up for grabs, enough to turn the situation around. We must remain calm and concentrate and try and make up the difference."

Alonso aims to reignite his challenge at the Italian Grand Prix on 12 September but, with the added pressure of a home grand prix for Ferrari, he is refusing to call it a make-or-break race.

"There is no denying that the Monza race will be very important," Alonso added on his blog for the Ferrari website.

"At our home circuit we will have to do everything to avoid losing any more points; a good result would be a great boost.

ANDREW BENSON'S BLOG It is not yet too late for Fernando Alonso to get back into the thick of the title fight but, also like them, it is beginning to feel as if this might well not be his year.

"If things go badly, it won't be over but it would be a hard knock for team morale."

Alonso failed to capitalise on Ferrari's improved form at the Belgian Grand Prix, despite setting the pace in Friday practice.

Rubens Barrichello's Williams collided with Alonso's Ferrari in damp conditions on the opening lap and, after weaving his way back through the field, Alonso then spun out in the closing stages of the race.

"The key moment in my race came on the very first lap," explained Alonso. "Unfortunately, I had to come back to the pits almost immediately and that changed everything.

Alonso is still in title race - Domenicali

"I could have done without going off the track, but it did not make a great difference; the rain meant that any chance I had of making up some places through our strategy evaporated.

"I have always said - and I repeat it now - that in the course of the season, good luck and bad luck tend to balance one another out, so let's hope that from now on it's payback time."

Ferrari will also find out next week whether a World Motor Sport Council disciplinary hearing on 8 September will affect their championship.

The team were fined $100,000 following the German Grand Prix having appeared to give Felipe Massa a coded order to allow Alonso through to win but could face further punishment if they are found guilty of breaking the rule prohibiting team orders.

Potenshöjande medel -