''Both drivers have to take some responsibility''McLaren team chief Ron Dennis was downcast and sad on Sunday despite seeing Lewis Hamilton claim a superb victory in the Hungarian Grand Prix. It was 22-year-old Hamilton's third win of the season in his first year in Formula
One and increased his lead in the title race to seven points ahead of team-mate
Fernando Alonso.
That meant that McLaren stayed on top of both championships with six races to go - despite the FIA denying McLaren any points from the Hungarian race. This was because the team were involved in controversy on Saturday when Alonso prevented Hamilton from leaving the pits in time to clock a final fast lap in qualifying.
A flat-looking and miserable-sounding Dennis said: "I'm feeling pretty tired and hurt after all that has happened. I have felt a lot of stress and this has been a painful experience."
Talking to the British television channel, ITV, he added: "It has been a very difficult time for the company and for the team. It has been very difficult emotionally. Both drivers have to take some responsibility for this."
Dennis bristled at the mere suggestion that McLaren may have been involved in any incident that favoured one driver ahead of another after Saturday's qualifying 'moment' when Alonso delayed in the pit lane for 10 seconds ahead of Hamilton before producing a fast lap.
"All of this has left the team in a very difficult position," said Dennis. "But I know that for us parity between the drivers is at the very core of our racing and our philosophy."
Dennis's misery was in contrast to the relief and euphoria of Lewis Hamilton's father Anthony Hamilton who admitted he was 'totally in awe' of his son after seeing him sweep aside all distractions to win Sunday's 70 laps race.
"An incredible weekend and I am amazed that my heart held out," said Hamilton senior. "To be honest I am just stunned. I am now totally in awe of Lewis."
He said that the row over Alonso's blocking tactic at the end of the qualifying session on Saturday was now over and forgotten as far as he was concerned.
"For us, it is all over," he said. "It was a bad moment and a bad thing, but it is over now for us and this was a great win for Lewis and it is a great thing for the sport."
Source AFP
