Alonso says runner-up spot would be "very valuable"

The Spaniard dropped down to third place in the standings after finishing in fourth position in the Singapore Grand Prix.

He is just one point behind McLaren's Jenson Button, but with Red Bull's Mark Webber only two behind with five races to go.

Although Button has said he is not interested in second place, Alonso says the runner-up spot would mean a lot to him, especially given Ferrari's position in the constructors' championship.

"Of course there's motivation [to finish second]," said Alonso. "It's hard but it's something you want, to be runner-up in the championship.

"Also, the gap in the constructors' to Red Bull and McLaren - Red Bull is over 100 points away and McLaren nearly 100 - is huge so if I can finish in second in the drivers' championship it would be a very valuable thing for me."

The Spaniard, who has been unable to fight near the top in recent races, downplayed the significance of tyre usage, even if Ferrari is believed to treat its tyres better than its rivals.

"I think it's all in the aerodynamics. If you make the car a second quicker with the aerodynamics then your tyres are going to work, and you get a pole position one after the other, and you win races one after the other."