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Alonso puts F1 spy hearing out of mind

By Staff

SPA-FRANCORCHAMPS, Belgium, Sep 13 (Reuters) World champion Fernando Alonso tried to put a Formula One spy hearing out of his thoughts today and said he was focused entirely on winning Sunday's Belgian Grand Prix.

''I'm not thinking about anything outside here, the paddock,'' Alonso told a news conference at the Spa-Francorchamps circuit.

''I have a meeting with the engineer now preparing the strategy for tomorrow, which tyre to use in P1 (first practice), P2 and checking the forecast for the weekend, the setup...any more than this I am not ready to think.'' Team mate and championship leader Lewis Hamilton joined McLaren bosses at a hearing of the governing body in Paris that could wreck both the drivers' and team's title hopes if they are found to have gained from leaked Ferrari information.

''My concentration is 100 percent on this paddock, on winning this race, I'm not thinking even two seconds about anything else,'' said Alonso.

''I will not comment on what is happening today (in Paris),'' he added. ''I don't think about what can or cannot happen today in Paris, I am not in that matter.'' Alonso has had an increasingly uneasy relationship with the Mercedes-powered team since he joined at the end of last year from Renault, with whom he won both his titles.

The Spaniard is three points behind Hamilton, who has enjoyed long-term McLaren backing and is well established at the team despite his rookie status this season, with four races remaining.

Asked why he had not gone to Paris, Alonso replied bluntly: ''No comment''.

His position contrasted to that of the Briton, who made clear to reporters on arrival at the hearing that he had wanted to be there because he was part of the team.

REUTERS PDS AS2138

Story first published: Tuesday, August 22, 2017, 12:16 [IST]
Other articles published on Aug 22, 2017