Alonso Hits Out at His 'surreal' Punishment in Hungary

Fernando Alonso yesterday said he felt bewildered and confused by the internal controversies at McLaren-Mercedes and described his demotion to sixth on the grid in Hungary as "surreal".

Alonso did not confirm that he would see out his contract with McLaren, which has another two years to run. When asked, he replied: "I don't know, I don't know."

The double world champion told the Spanish radio station Cadenasur: "I felt it was a strange decision to penalize the team and me. There have been some strange situations in the team all through the year and this was another example. We were first and second in qualifying and nobody was happy. We went to complain about ourselves. It was one of the most surreal moments I have experienced in formula one."

Alonso and Hamilton appear not to be speaking. The British driver ignored team instructions to let Alonso overtake at the start of final qualifying at the Hungaroring. Alonso was then accused by stewards of deliberately impeding Hamilton in the pit lane, denying him a crack at a quick lap, and was demoted from pole position.

Hamilton had a furious argument with the team principal, Ron Dennis, over the team radio after qualifying and Alonso said he was stunned. "It is the first time Hamilton, or any driver, speaks like that to his boss. I have never seen it. I suppose they will talk to him and in Turkey things will be back to normal in three weeks."

Alonso rebutted suggestions that formula one's governing body, the FIA, was conspiring to help Hamilton. "Everybody asks me that, fans and journalists," he said, "but no, I don't think so. It is difficult to organize things to make a driver win, with all of the things that can happen in a race, the small details which can make the difference. That is impossible to control.

"There are always strange moments in this sport, in all sports generally, but maybe in F1 a little more. There are always things going on like this away from the track, so it has been a strange weekend in that respect."

Alonso expects McLaren to be back in proper running order in time for the Turkish grand prix on August 26.