Hamilton fuels rift with Alonso

Lewis Hamilton believes McLaren support him more than team-mate Fernando Alonso and says he has been forced to revise his opinion of the world champion.

The Englishman's remarks come in the light of Alonso's cool relationship with the team and breakdown in relations with boss Ron Dennis.

"Since what's gone on, they've realised who the real people are in the team and who they should really back," he said.

"[Alonso] is not the person I imagined him to be, but that's the way it is."

Alonso has only just starting speaking to Dennis after a row at the Hungarian Grand Prix in August over his status in the team.

The Spaniard threatened during the row to reveal incriminating e-mail evidence about McLaren's involvement in the spy row that has dominated the sport this summer to the sport's governing body, the FIA.

He quickly apologised and withdrew the threat, but not before Dennis had telephoned FIA president Max Mosley to tell him of the conversation.

It ultimately led to McLaren being thrown out of this year's constructors' championship and fined �49.2m for having confidential Ferrari technical information in their possession.

Hamilton attended the FIA hearing in Paris earlier this month, but Alonso chose not to.

The relationship between the drivers has also cooled since Hungary, when Hamilton first double-crossed Alonso in qualifying and then Alonso returned the favour.

And Hamilton was angered when Alonso forced him wide at the first corner of the Belgian Grand Prix two weeks ago.

Alonso, 26, has cut Hamilton's once 14-point lead to just two points with three races to go, including in Japan this weekend.

Hamilton said: "When you are in a relationship with a certain amount of people, you do the best job you can and want to show to everyone that you are the one for the team.

"In this situation, I was a rookie and he was the two-time world champion coming into the team.

"He is the one that was looked at to bring it home, but eventually I have earned more respect from them."

Alonso, who has avoided commenting on his relationship with the team or Hamilton in public, is understood to believe that as a double world champion he is entitled to elevated status.

Hamilton said: "I want to win it [the title] fair and square. Not once have I approached the team members and asked to be favoured.

"It is just not something I have done at any team, asking for better equipment.

"I want to win it the right way. The best feeling ever is when you know you have won and you have beaten someone as talented as he is with the exact same equipment and exactly the same opportunity."

Hamilton said he had been surprised by Alonso's behaviour.

"You try to understand these people," he said, "but then the whole idea of what sort of person they are is completely miles out of the ball park."

Source: BBC Sport