No tension between McLaren duo - Dennis

[davewilson]

Team principal Ron Dennis has played down any suggestion of tension between McLaren drivers Fernando Alonso and rookie superstar Lewis Hamilton.

Many observers interpreted a discussion between Dennis and Alonso on a park bench in the Bahrain paddock last week as a public message that McLaren has not forgotten about the double world champion amid all the Hamilton hype.

Dennis denied to reporters that the conversation was staged, but explained: "It was just a kind of paternal touch.

"We are privileged to have a double world champion in the car and the chemistry between the two is fantastic.

"There is not an issue (between them) and we'll make sure it stays that way. We want to win the world championship.

"We have the young pretender and the champion and we owe it to them to give them equal opportunity."

The Woking-based team's chief did, however, admit that 22-year-old Briton Hamilton's impressive debut so far in 2007, and the reaction of the media, has probably left Alonso a little irked.

Dennis recalled: "The first three questions (from the press) to the drivers in Australia went to Lewis.

"I could just sense Fernando thinking, 'Hang on, I am the double world champion here'."