Fernando Alonso described his Italian Grand Prix victory as a massive motivational boost for the Ferrari team coming into the championship-deciding rounds, but warned that the squad now needed to find some consistency.
Two weeks after crashing out at Spa following a disastrous race, Alonso took pole in Italy then won after overcoming early leader Jenson Button in the pit stops.
"I think this result gives you some extra confidence and good motivation for the whole team," said Alonso. "We'll keep working hard and try not to give up – one race or bad race can change the points a lot in the championship.
"This was a good weekend, Spa was a bad weekend – we need to find consistency in the last five races. That will be the key – this result is good motivation for all of us, but in the remaining five races it is really the important races and the good points.
"So we need to enjoy tonight, enjoy these next two days and we'll be in Maranello Monday and Tuesday to say thanks for the whole team, and championship-wise there is time to think later on."
Alonso had to follow Button for the first 36 laps of the race after losing the lead at the start. He ran one lap further before pitting and snatched the lead, which he said the Ferrari pit crew deserved most of the credit for.
"We were thinking at the time of the possibility of coming in. The possibilities were to come in one lap later or one lap earlier," said Alonso. "We had to find the right choice at the right moment.
"When we saw Jenson coming in, there was one lap to push and rely on the mechanics. I think the lap was more or less OK, nothing special, but the pit stop was superb."
He admitted that winning Ferrari's home race in his first year with the team was a hugely emotional experience.
"It's something I can only compare with winning my home grand prix at Barcelona in 2006," Alonso said. "It was a very special moment, and this one is a very special moment as well. It's a fantastic feeling."