Alonso's not talking to me, admits Lewis
Lewis Hamilton has revealed that McLaren team-mate Fernando Alonso
has not spoken to him since the qualifying controversy at the
Hungaroring on Saturday.
The world champion was stripped of pole position and relegated to
sixth on the grid after stewards deemed he had unnecessarily
held-up his rookie team-mate in the pit lane in the dying minutes
of the final part of qualifying.
McLarens problems were triggered by Hamiltons decision to ignore
team orders instructing him to let the Spaniard pass him on the
opening lap of the fuel-burn phase.
The Briton says he has apologised to the team since for his own
actions but admits Alonso hasnt spoken to him since the
controversy blew up.
He doesn't seem to have been speaking to me since yesterday, so I
don't know if he has a problem, he said in a press conference
following his win on Sunday.
In terms of speaking to the team, I spoke to everyone, I have told
everyone the situation, apologised if they feel I have done
something against them but this is the way it is.
It is higher than them if you know what I mean.
McLaren boss Ron Dennis told ITV Sport after Hamiltons victory
that there were tensions and mistrust between his two drivers amid
their close championship battle.
Hamilton admits it is hard to have a close relationship with an
equally competitive team-mate and that each drivers determination
to win has created tensions between the pair.
I think it is always difficult, he said.
I have had it with every team I have been in.
When you have the two most competitive people in the team,
possibly the two most competitive people around, both wanting to
win. It puts the team under immense pressure.
It is just extremely hard for everyone to play fair and to make it
easy.
That's why sometimes it appears that one driver is favoured over
the other.
That's why sometimes I feel he is favoured and vice-versa.
However he insists that he doesnt hold a grudge against the
Spaniard and that his respect for the double world champions
career achievements remains.
I think going on from now, I hope he still speaks to me," he
said.
I am easy to get along with, I don't hold grudges on anyone.
I'm still leading the championship, I haven't lost respect for
him.
If he doesn't want to speak to me than that is for him to decide,
but I'm open.
