Formula One: Not Everyone at Renault Behind Alonso

Fernando Alonso was at the centre of controversy after he claimed there were people within the Renault formula one team who did not want him to win this year's world championship as it would mean fierce rivals McLaren could brandish the coveted No1 on their car next season.

After finishing second behind Michael Schumacher's Ferrari in Sunday's Chinese grand prix, Alonso said: "The whole team is gutted, apart from the handful of people who don't want me to take No1 to McLaren."

It is indicative of the tensions that surround the world championship battle that Alonso should even voice such a thought, even though the team claims that he was quoted out of context. The Spanish driver has seen a 25-point lead demolished by Schumacher over the past seven races to the point where they will go into Sunday's Japanese grand prix at Suzuka equal on 116 points. His comments will help stoke the antipathy between the Renault principal, Flavio Briatore, and his McLaren counterpart, Ron Dennis. The Englishman will relish the prospect of his prime race car carrying the No1 next season.

"This is not an issue," said a Renault spokesman. "We are 150% behind Fernando in his battle for the championship and there is no question of our commitment flagging. The points situation is so tight that to win the constructors' championship you've got to be sure of winning the drivers' championship and vice versa.

"We have worked flat out since Monza on engine development to ensure that we keep our competitive edge through to the last race of the season in Brazil. In addition Giancarlo [Fisichella] drove purely for the team at Shanghai on Sunday, finishing third behind Fernando. There is no problem at all with the relations between him and the team."

Alonso has been no stranger to controversy in recent weeks, having remarked that Schumacher was the most unsporting driver in formula one history. After retiring from the Italian grand prix with engine failure, Alonso said: "[Zinédine] Zidane retired with more glory than Schumacher," referring to the French player whose World Cup final was marred when he received a red card for a head-butt.

Alonso's comments will simply make Schumacher doubly determined to press home his advantage and finish the job.