Hamilton demands explanation from McClaren

McLaren walked into another storm of controversy as Lewis Hamilton appeared to be denied one final crack at a qualifying hot lap for tomorrow's Hungarian Grand Prix.

The team have become no strangers to contentious issues this year, not least with the ongoing 'spy' scandal that has dominated recent events.

Hamilton also famously said: "I have number two on my car, and I'm the number two driver" following the Monaco Grand Prix which led to accusations of team orders.

It also prompted claims the relationship between him and Alonso was edgy, since when the team have gone to great lengths to try to prove they are the best of friends.

This latest incident, though, will add fuel to the fire because while Hamilton insisted he was "not mad", his body language again conveyed a different story.

In the final qualifying period, and on his first pit stop in that 15-minute session, Alonso initially suffered a problem with a tyre blanket that delayed his release.

Following a second pit stop for fresh tyres, and with the clock ticking, he was clearly held, leaving Hamilton queuing behind him.

Unfortunately for current drivers' leader Hamilton, although he was put on new rubber, he was not afforded enough time to set another blistering lap after being easily fastest in Q1 and Q2.

Alonso, meanwhile, was just able to beat the clock, and ultimately post a time that bettered Hamilton's to put him on pole.

"It definitely needs a good explanation," remarked Hamilton, attempting to put on a brave face through the questions.

"I really don't understand why I was held back. I guess you should ask the team, and I definitely will do when I go back and have the debrief.

"Nothing was said to me on the radio. I was obviously told on the way in Fernando was doing his stop and that I should back off so I didn't have to queue.

"That's what I did, so I saved time coming round the last corner and into the pits, but for some reason he was just held there.

"Your guess is as good as mine as to why he was there. His wheels were on, his blankets were off and yet he was told to wait.

"I probably lost at least half a minute coming in off the previous lap and then waiting behind Fernando."

Rumours suggested Alonso was behind held by his personal physio Fabrizio Borra, who was counting off the seconds to the Spaniard with his fingers, so making sure Hamilton would not have enough time for one more lap.

That is apparently under discussion within the team, whom Hamilton is fairly confident would not unduly harm his chances after what unfolded in Monaco.

"I'm not angry. I'm curious as to what's gone on," added Hamilton, whose father Anthony, though, wore a fierce look during the post-qualifying media conference.

"I find it quite interesting and amusing, so I'm not really mad to be honest.

"I think the team have been extremely fair, at least ever since Monaco.

"I think they work extremely hard, and I've just so much belief in the team that I don't believe they could do that."

Alonso, meanwhile, brushed aside his own questions after claiming his second pole of the season, and 17th of his career.

"In the first and second stops, normally we have someone timing the gaps," said the reigning double world champion.

"The first time they told me to go, but I had the blanket caught in the tyres, so I lost some time there. The second time we didn't lose anything.

"You can ask the team what happened. I am always monitoring the pit stops, the radio.

"They do the calculations, they find the gaps and I just drive the car. I'm always ready to go."

Behind Hamilton, Nick Heidfeld starts third for BMW Sauber, with the Ferrari of Kimi Raikkonen fourth, while team-mate Felipe Massa is 14th following a problem with his car in Q2.

David Coulthard starts 11th for Red Bull Racing, Anthony Davidson 15th for Super Aguri, while last year's winner Jenson Button is a lowly 17th in his Honda.