ALONSO HAILS HAMILTON

[The Stig]

Formula One champion Fernando Alonso has praised the start to the season made by team-mate Lewis Hamilton amid the furore over the McLaren team allegedly using team orders during the Monaco Grand Prix.

The FIA, the sport's governing body, investigated the race after Alonso and Hamilton finished first and second - with claims being made that the young British driver was ordered to back off so he did not put his stablemate under pressure.

But the Spaniard, whose team escaped punishment by the FIA, has welcomed the impact made by Hamilton.

"We need to wait and see how the championship develops but, for sure, it's been a very good start for the team and for Lewis as well," said Alonso.

The reigning champion is also pleased to see Hamilton help him pick up points in the manufacturers' championship as well as pushing him in the drivers' title race.

"Thanks to everybody's points, we are doing great in both championships. Does his success motivate me? No, because I'm always motivated," Alonso added in an interview published in the latest edition of Nuts magazine.