equal equipment, equal support!

sparked the riot
By Natasha
June 13 2007

"The team is made up by extremely passionate and competitive people and there is a healthy competition between the teams working on each car - this is inevitable and there is no issue with that.” "I can categorically state once again that both drivers have equal equipment, equal support and equal opportunity to win within the team and both Fernando and Lewis know and support this."

Ron Dennis has categorically denied any favouritism of any sort, giving one driver preference over the other, McLaren has never been a team that has operated in a clear designated number one and two driver, and Ron Dennis this morning reiterated this philosophy.

Ron Dennis was also quick to avoid criticising Fernando Alonso publicly at least, instead implying innocent comments can be taken out of context to imply something entirely different.

The reason Ron Dennis had to issue this statement, came after yesterday it was reported that Fernando Alonso was never really completely comfortable at McLaren since Lewis Hamilton was confirmed as his team mate.

He also went on to say that having a British team mate in a british team, will have the support and help going Hamilton’s way.

Ron Dennis used his statement to have another dig at the press, who have turned nasty since the Monte Carlo grand prix, Dennis said:

"It's completely understandable that the results of each Grand Prix are going to provide both the British and the Spanish media with an opportunity to hang on every word that the drivers say - and sometimes quotes are taken out of context which can put a completely different spin on an innocent remark.

He continued: "The Vodafone McLaren Mercedes team is made up by extremely passionate and competitive people and there is a healthy competition between the teams working on each car - this is inevitable and there is no issue with that.”

He continued to spell out that McLaren believed in equality, and that both drivers have the same opportunity to win: "However, I can categorically state once again that both drivers have equal equipment, equal support and equal opportunity to win within the team and both Fernando and Lewis know and support this.

"Fernando's comments when read carefully are correct; he hasn't been with the team long and the relationship can only continue to develop. The team is not going to do anything to jeopardise this positive and growing partnership."