GP Preview

By Jonathan Gill

17th October 2007

FERNANDO Alonso may be out of favour at McLaren, but he’s confident the team will provide him and team-mate Lewis Hamilton with an equal shot at the world championship. The Spaniard, who won both of his previous titles in Brazil, trails Hamilton by four points.

“I’m sure there is going to be equality,” he said. “I think in the end our cars will be the same. The team is going to give us both the same opportunities.” Ironically, Alonso (above) has been highly critical of McLaren for not giving him preferential treatment over his rookie partner – he believes as reigning world champ he deserves more respect. But, despite the animosity, he doesn’t think the team will give Hamilton an edge at this crucial stage of the season.

“They are never going to have favourable feelings towards me, but what they do on the track is a different thing, and usually they have had two cars that are exactly same, capable of fighting for victory,” he said. “And that’s what I think will happen in Brazil, so everything will be up to me.”