Alonso: we cannot afford errors

The world championship leader believes that both teams will now have to put in a maximum effort at every opportunity if they are to win the title.

Although there have been times this season when both teams have been able to take easy wins, Alonso reckons the close competitiveness of both teams means that the time for games is over.

"We have had a similar performance all year, but it is true that when you win you manage your advantage in the race - you can play with the revs, you're more relaxed, more conservative and you can keep winning more," he said.

"But for sure now there is not any more in the pocket. We need to put everything on the track, and we need to do as much as we can to improve the car and drive it as quick as we can.

"From now we need to do 100 percent in the races, and it is the same for Ferrari. They need to recover points in both championships and there is not anything left to play for either of us."

Alonso believes it is important that Renault try and do as much as they can in the back-to-back races in China and Japan, because he thinks Ferrari will have the advantage in Brazil.

"China and Japan will be good for us," he said. "In the last three years in Japan especially we were ready to win the races. And I think this year we arrive with another opportunity to show the potential there.

"It is a circuit I love, very challenging and the car has been good as well. China and Japan will be the best one for us, and Monza and Brazil the worst."

The view about China and Japan makes next week's test at Jerez in Spain crucial for Renault, as tyre supplier Michelin aim to make a leap forward in performance for the final races of the year.

"Next week is very important from the tyres point of view," said Alonso. "Jerez is still medium hot temperature after this race, so we can test some good solutions for the last three races.

"Bridgestone has an advantage so they have more to lose than to win. But Michelin has the potential and the ability to improve the tyres, so I think it will be good."