No problems with Hamilton: Alonso

Madrid:

Spain's two-time Formula One world champion Fernando Alonso claimed today he had no problems with British team-mate Lewis Hamilton during their contentious time together at McLaren.

"There is always a lot of talk about him and this antagonism was created but there was never any problem," he told daily newspaper El Pais.

Alonso has rejoined Renault after spending a season with McLaren that was marked by media speculation of a feud between the two drivers, and accusations that the team favoured Hamilton.

Hamilton controversially won the 2007 Hungarian Grand Prix after Alonso was dropped from pole for holding up his team-mate during qualifying.

The world champion was demoted five grid places after a stewards' investigation ruled Alonso had been wrong to wait in front of Hamilton in the pits for 30 seconds ahead of the pair's final qualifying runs.

"People talk about Hungary, of the pit-stop, but it was not his fault," Alonso told El Pais.

"It was the team that should have taken steps and if I was supposed to leave first and make an extra round to burn more gas they should have made sure that things would be that way. But they weren't interested in all that," he added.

Alonso, who won back-to-back world championships with Renault in 2005 and 2006 and came close last year with McLaren has hinted at leaving the French side if it does not perform well this season.

"My first option is to stay at Renault if we succeed in creating a winning car and the truth is we are making progress," he said.

"But what I want is to race in a car that can give me victories. There are several, Williams, Toyota, BMW and Ferrari that are always on top no matter what happens," he added.

After a disappointing start to the season, Renault has been experimenting with changes to its R28 car, aimed at improving its aerodynamic setup.

Last month Alonso finished in fourth place behind Hamilton at the Australian Grand Prix.