Alonso confident of McLaren backing

Fernando Alonso is convinced McLaren will not harm his chances of fighting for the world title, with FIA president Max Mosley ready to haul the team back to Paris should anything untoward unfold.

Dennis earlier confirmed being involved in a bust-up with Alonso on the morning of the Hungarian Grand Prix on August 5.

During the argument, the reigning world champion disclosed he had email evidence relating to the spy scandal.

That led to Dennis calling FIA president Max Mosley to divulge the details of the heated exchange.

Shortly after, however, Alonso’s manager, Luis Garcia, returned to apologise on behalf of the 26-year-old and retract everything that had been said.

But by that stage, the wheels had been set in motion, resulting in the World Motor Sport Council handing McLaren a record £50million fine and stripping them of all their constructors’ points.

Mosley, though, has warned them the FIA will be watching the rest of the season with interest.

“If they do anything wrong to Alonso they will have to answer to us in Paris, and we will do what’s necessary,” insisted Mosley.

Alonso, who trails Hamilton by just three points in the drivers’ standings with four races remaining – starting with tomorrow’s Belgian Grand Prix – believes he will continue to be supported.

“I’m not concerned. I’m fully convinced and totally happy with how the team behave in this situation,” said Alonso.

“The team has always said they will do the best they can to win races, and to help both drivers win races and championships.

“It’s the way it is going now, so I am not worried.”

To add insult to injury for Dennis, Mosley has praised Alonso for coming to the FIA’s aid, and helping them hammer his team.

“Without Alonso we wouldn’t have known what had happened. He is the only one in his team to have done the right thing,” remarked Mosley.

“Usually when a driver enters a team, he takes on the behaviour of that team, but he understood it (the spy scandal) wasn’t the right thing.

“Until that moment we only had the communications from the Italian Police, but no certainty, which is what we received from Alonso’s emails.”

Alonso today stonewalled questions on the row on several occasions simply answering “no comment – it’s what you think.”

At one stage he at least, added: “Everybody speaks and speculates, but we are here racing. That is what we have to talk about.

“If Ron said something it’s because he wanted to; if Max said something it’s because he wanted to.

“But I’m a racing driver, so I will answer questions about tyres, engines and things like that.”

As for what unfolded in Paris on Thursday, Alonso shrugged aside the issue, insisting: “It’s nothing for me. For the team I don’t think many things change.

“We are all here for the race. Everybody is very focused on trying to win this one, as we do every race, so I don’t feel any change.”

Dennis has insisted it is only his generosity that prevented him from firing Alonso, suggesting the argument was no worse than if a married couple had made hurtful comments during the course of a row.

But it would appear Alonso’s position is becoming increasingly untenable and he will not be in place at the end of the season.

“That’s one of the things you have been saying all year – that I will leave the team, I have problems with the team, it will be my last race for McLaren etc,” countered the 26-year-old.

“I’ve never said anything like that. I have a contract with McLaren for the coming years, and that’s the reality.

“I came to this team to win championships, to win races, and in my first year we are in a good position to do it.

“We’re all trying to do our job. All the team are very focused on doing their job.”

Alonso starts third on the grid at Spa behind an all-Ferrari front row for the first time this season, with Kimi Raikkonen on pole ahead of Felipe Massa.

Hamilton is fourth, with Red Bull Racing’s David Coulthard and Honda’s Jenson Button 13th and 14th, while Anthony Davidson is 21st for Super Aguri.