Alonso ‘not speaking’ to boss

THE BITTERNESS of the divide within McLaren was confirmed yesterday when it was revealed Fernando Alonso had not spoken to team boss Ron Dennis for six weeks.

According to Dennis, the Spaniard is unhappy he does not get the preferential treatment over rookie team-mate Lewis Hamilton he believes he deserves as world champion.

Dennis admitted he had not talked to Alonso since a row at the Hungarian Grand Prix in his evidence at a World Motor Sport Council hearing in Paris on September 13, the transcripts of which have been published today.

Dennis said: “We are not on speaking terms, but that does not matter.”

The boss, referring to the conversation in Hungary on August 5 in which Alonso had told him he had information which could be used against McLaren in the spy controversy involving the British team and Ferrari, said: “We have not had any conversations since that point.

“First, the relationship between Fernando and myself is extremely cold. That is an understatement.

“In Fernando’s mind, there is the firm belief that our policy, whereby each driver receives equal treatment, does not properly reflect his status as world champion.

“He bases this assertion on the fact his experience and knowledge and what came to him from his former team is such that he should receive an advantage.”

The row with Alonso, which led to the Spaniard’s disclosure he had knowledge of Ferrari technical information, came after Alonso lost pole position following a dispute with Hamilton.

Dennis testified he had summoned Max Mosley — president of world motor sport’s governing body, the FIA — immediately on hearing Alonso’s claims.

The new information was examined at the World Motor Sport Council hearing earlier this month which concluded with McLaren being fined £50million (€71m) and stripped of all points in the constructors’ championship.

Dennis also revealed McLaren had asked Alonso to attend the Paris hearing, but the Spaniard had refused.

He added: “Alonso is not here because he does not want to be here.

“He does not speak to anyone much. He is a remarkable recluse for a driver. He is not here by choice.”

The transcripts also confirmed reports Mosley had argued Hamilton and Alonso should also be penalised as well as the team, claiming they could be stripped of their Formula One championship points acquired so far but remain free to compete for the rest of the season.

Mosley feared that unless sanctions were also applied to the drivers as well as the team, Formula One’s reputation would be damaged.

He compared the use of illegally obtained technical information to the use of performance-enhancing drugs in cycling and athletics.

“If we allow wholesale transfer of information from one team to another, without the consent of the team from which that comes, this calls into question every issue of fairness,” said Mosley.