There's no war at McLaren, insists Hamilton

My Account
Logout

Create an Evening Standard Account

Use your social network

Save time by using your existing account to sign in to Evening Standard

We'll never share your information or post anything to your account without your permission

Welcome! Sign in here

Use your social network

Save time by using your existing account to sign in to Evening Standard

We'll never share your information or post anything to your account without your permission

Forgot your password ?

Registration

* indicates fields that are mandatory

Email *

Password *

Confirm Password *

First name *

Surname *

Postcode *

Country *

Mobile phone number

Username *

Gender *

Year of birth *

When you sign up...

You will have access to all our online competitions, discounted offers and can post comments on our site.

You will also receive The Weekender newsletter sent every Thursday - it’s full of fantastic offers and ideas for the weekend. You can update your email preferences in your account page when you log in.

Other newsletters and emails

Homes & Property Newsletter - Yes I want to receive the weekly email with all the latest news on property in the capital

Occasionally we would also like to send you relevant emails detailing specific offers either from ourselves or carefully selected partners. If you would prefer not to receive these then please tick the appropriate boxes below. We will never pass on your details.

I do not want to receive additional offers and information from the Evening Standard

I do not want to receive additional offers and information sent by Evening Standard on behalf of carefully selected partners

Terms and Conditions

* I have read, understood and agree to be bound by the terms and conditions of Evening Standard

Registration

Mail Sent for Registration Confirmation.

A confirmation email has been sent. Please activate your account by clicking on the activation link sent in your mail box.

"For the record, Fernando and I are fiercely competitive and respectful of each other," Hamilton said in a statement released Thursday by McLaren. "We are both ambitious drivers who want to win. However, we are not drivers at war, as has been widely reported."

No split: Alonso (left) and Hamilton

The rookie British driver initially refused to let Alonso by at the start of the final 15-minute qualifying session in Hungary, despite instructions to do so over the team radio. The Spaniard then impeded Hamilton in the pitlane, preventing him from setting another lap at full speed lap and winning pole position.

Alonso was demoted from pole position to sixth on the grid for the incident. Hamilton won the race Sunday for his third victory of the season, with Alonso fourth.

"Although we did not speak on Sunday, we have spoken since the weekend and continue to have a professional working relationship," Hamilton said Thursday. "In fact, Fernando and I plan to meet up over the holiday period."

The sport's governing body, FIA, penalized McLaren by withholding the 15 points the team won in the constructors championship in Hungary. Hamilton has an 80-73 lead over two-time champion Alonso in the drivers' standings with six races left.

"As an individual in my first year in Formula One I have done my utmost to conduct myself in a professional and open manner," Hamilton said. "Of course, I have made mistakes, not least during the last weekend, and those are open to public scrutiny.

"However it is disappointing that inflammatory and untrue material is given to the media and published which may damage reputations."

McLaren also denied that Hamilton had used a vulgar expletive in a heated conversation with team boss Ron Dennis over the team radio after the qualifying session.

"The team have investigated this claim and reviewed the radio transmissions and we can categorically confirm that Lewis did not use the (expletive) at any time during any conversation with the team."