Dennis Insists Hamilton and Alonso Clear Air

Lewis Hamilton and Fernando Alonso were notable absentees from the paddock at the Istanbul Park circuit yesterday, remaining behind closed doors in their hotel rooms with the McLaren management as they sought to defuse the tension which still hangs in the air following their rift during qualifying for the Hungarian grand prix three weeks ago.

Rather than parade their opinions in front of the press in the 33C heat, the McLaren team principal Ron Dennis and his right-hand man Martin Whitmarsh insisted that Hamilton and Alonso, seven points apart at the head of the drivers' world championship table, talk over their differences in private before making their first appearance of the weekend before this morning's first free practice session.

Dennis, who was visibly shell-shocked at the Hungaroring after both his drivers attempted to double-cross each other during qualifying, resulting in Alonso losing his pole position thanks to a five-place grid penalty, came to Turkey for the 12th race of the 17-race season hoping that time would have soothed Alonso's injured pride. Yet although both men talked for almost two hours it was not obvious last night whether they had cleared the air.

Speculation over the future plans of Ross Brawn, the former Ferrari formula one technical director who has been enjoying a sabbatical this year in the aftermath of Michael Schumacher's retirement, has intensified after he met with Jean Todt, the company's executive director, to discuss the prospect of returning to the company. "The matter is still open on both sides," said the Ferrari team spokesman Luca Colajanni. "No deal has been concluded, but the fact that talks have taken place is positive." Brawn helped mastermind Ferrari's five world championships with Schumacher.