Ferrari president Luca di Montezemolo has praised the team for the manner in which is had battled back into contention for the 2010 F1 title.

Victory in Germany – albeit in controversial fashion – and second place in Hungary has allowed Fernando Alonso to move to fifth in the championship standings, just 20 points behind leader Mark Webber.

Two top four finishes for Felipe Massa, which ended a run of three successive no-scores, has also allowed Ferrari to close the gap to both Red Bull and McLaren in the constructors’ championship – although the Scuderia remains 74 points off the championship lead.

Speaking on Ferrari’s website, di Montezemolo praised the progress made by the team during the last month to climb back into contention while both Alonso and Massa were also congratulated for recent performances.

“It was a very busy July, which ended in a very nice way for us,” he said, “especially when you look at where we are today, compared to one month ago. For this, I wish to thank our entire workforce, because they put in so much effort to achieve these results.

“In Hockenheim, we finished first and second and yesterday we came away with second and fourth places, which was the most we could have achieved. The engineers put their heads down and worked on improving the car and the drivers did a great job.

“Fernando got an amazing start and very nearly managed to take the lead at the first corner, while Felipe brought home a significant points haul, in what was a special race for him, one year on from his accident.”

Di Montezemolo added that there had been plenty of missed opportunities for the team earlier in the year, but said the focus now had to be firmly on what is still to come as the team battles for the crown.

“It’s true that earlier in the season we have wasted great opportunities and there is still regret for some perplexing decisions, but we must look ahead and believe in the fact that today, we are in the fight for the championship,” he said. “This is the Ferrari I like to see and the one our fans want to see: a team that can fight and deliver the results.

“We must continue like this and then see where we are at the end. We know we must work even harder and with determination on the development of the car, but our people don’t need me to tell them that.”

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