Already tension in McLaren pits?

(GMM) After Fernando Alonso and Lewis Hamilton embraced in Malaysia's parc ferme, McLaren chiefs said they were not worried that the relationship could turn sour as the 2007 season grinds on.

But there is already tension within the silver-lined garage walls, as reports in the Spanish press reveal.

According to one source, Alonso's manager Luis Garcia-Abbot became so frustrated with McLaren team members' one-sided enthusiasm for rookie Lewis Hamilton in Australia that he opted to watch qualifying for the Malaysian GP from the tranquility of the Renault pits.

To the 'Diario As' newspaper, McLaren CEO Martin Whitmarsh insisted that championship leader Alonso, also the reigning world champion, should not become the forgotten man.

"It is right to admire what Lewis is doing but Fernando is a great world champion and someone who is making an enormous contribution to our team," he said.

'As' also pointed out that, although Hamilton achieved the best overall lap on Sunday, no fewer than 16 of the 20 fastest laps of the Malaysian grand prix belonged to Alonso.