McLaren promise drivers equality

McLaren have denied there will be any favouritism when drivers Lewis Hamilton and Fernando Alonso battle it out for the Formula One title on 21 October.

Hamilton leads reigning champion Alonso by four points going into the final race of the season at Brazil.

"The team wants to make it clear its policy of treating both with complete equality and fairness will continue," said a McLaren statement.

Ferrari's Kimi Raikkonen is also in with a shout of the drivers' title.

The Finn is seven points behind Hamilton in the first three-way tussle for the championship since 1986.

Alonso and McLaren boss Ron Dennis have not spoken since the Hungarian Grand Prix.

The Spaniard, who moved to McLaren at the end of last season after twice winning the drivers' title with Renault, has hinted that he believes the team have a preference for Hamilton.

But the McLaren statement added: "McLaren and Mercedes-Benz will continue to take every step that is within their control to ensure that both Fernando and Lewis will enjoy the same opportunity to win in terms of equality of car, engine, tactics and use of resources."

Hamilton retired from Sunday's Chinese Grand Prix after going into the gravel in the pit lane and Alonso finished second to give himself hope going to Interlagos.

"There have been a lot of suggestions and rumours about equality in the team this year," said Mercedes motorsport vice-president Norbert Haug.

"The current point standings illustrate better than anything else the fact that equal treatment is in place."

Source: BBC Sport