Hamilton, Alonso find "constructive way forward"

Istanbul, Aug 24: Feuding McLaren team mates Lewis Hamilton and double world champion Fernando Alonso appear to be back on speaking terms after a meeting at the Turkish Grand Prix.

McLaren said in a statement today that the two drivers, who had a very public falling out at the previous race in Hungary, had met in Istanbul yesterday and found a ''constructive way forward''.

''The drivers clearly understand the team's approach of providing them, to the best of our ability, with equality and the same opportunity of winning,'' the championship leaders said.

''We discussed the events of Hungary with both drivers independently yesterday, following which Fernando and Lewis met in the hotel and found a constructive way forward.

''We are now turning our full attention to the Turkish Grand Prix and the rest of the season,'' the statement concluded.

Hamilton, the 22-year-old rookie sensation of the season, leads Spaniard Alonso by seven points in the championship with six races remaining.

The Briton won in Hungary after Alonso was stripped of pole position and demoted five places on the starting grid for impeding him in qualifying after Hamilton ignored team instructions.

Stewards also punished McLaren by barring them from scoring constructors' points, costing them 15 and allowing Ferrari to cut the gap at the top to 19. The Mercedes-powered team are appealing the decision.

Neither Hamilton nor Alonso were present at the Istanbul Park circuit yesterday due to the meeting and the team have been shielding them from awkward questions about their partnership.

Alonso, winner of the last two titles with Renault, is competing in his 100th grand prix on Sunday.

Reuters>