Hamilton and Alonso forge peace pact

12 April 2012

Lewis Hamilton and Fernando Alonso have "found a constructive way forward" following the controversy that unfolded throughout the Hungarian Grand Prix.

The McLaren stars met face to face for the first time on Thursday since the furore at the Hungaroring, which culminated in Alonso not speaking to Hamilton.

A McLaren statement read: "We discussed the events of Hungary with both drivers independently, 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."

Team boss Ron Dennis, who departed Budapest a furious and frustrated figure, will be hoping the matter has now been laid to rest.

The saga that sullied the name of his team was initially instigated by Hamilton ignoring team orders at the start of the final qualifying session insisting he allow Alonso by.

Hamilton opted not to do so, fearing it would compromise his own qualifying strategy, angering his 26-year-old team-mate.

Alonso then deliberately blocked the World Championship leader in the pit lane, preventing the 22-year-old Briton from embarking on a final flying lap.

Although Alonso managed to clinch pole, race stewards deemed he had "unnecessarily impeded another driver" and so demoted him to sixth on the grid.

A war of words then followed between Hamilton and Alonso as each gave their version of events, culminating in the stewards siding with the Briton.

With Hamilton elevated to pole, he comfortably claimed victory, while Alonso came home fourth and now a seven-point gap exists between the duo with six grands prix remaining.

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