Fernando Alonso congratulates Kimi Raikkonen on pole position at Spa. Photo / Reuters
SPA-FRANCORCHAMPS - Formula One world champion Fernando Alonso expects McLaren to continue backing his title push despite his role in providing key evidence against the team in a spying controversy.
"I am not concerned," the Spaniard told a news conference after qualifying in third place and ahead of
team mate and championship leader Lewis Hamilton at the Belgian Grand Prix.
"I'm fully convinced and totally happy with how the team behave in this situation.
"They 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," said Alonso, who is three points behind Hamilton with four races remaining.
McLaren were stripped of their 2007 constructors' points and fined $100 million on Thursday for having Ferrari technical information in their possession.
Alonso's comments came after International Automobile Federation (FIA) President Max Mosley praised the 26-year-old for providing key evidence to condemn McLaren.
"Without Alonso we wouldn't have known what had happened," the Gazzetta dello Sport web site (www.gazzetta.it) quoted him as telling reporters.
"He was the only one on his team who did the right thing...until that moment we only had the communications provided by the Italian police but no certainty, which however we obtained with Alonso's e-mails."
McLaren boss Ron Dennis told reporters that Alonso had told him he had e-mails referring to leaked Ferrari information during a heated conversation at the Hungarian Grand Prix last month.
Dennis said he then rang the FIA and told them, after which the governing body wrote to the drivers requesting they hand over any evidence they had.
Alonso refused to comment on Mosley's words.
McLaren have been outspoken in their determination to treat both their drivers as equals but Mosley said the FIA would be keeping a close eye on the team to ensure that remained the case for the rest of the season.
"If they do anything wrong against Alonso, they will have to answer to us in Paris and we will do what is necessary," he said.
- REUTERS
