Norbert Haug on Thursday was not keen to divulge much about what have been described unofficially as ‘clear-the-air talks’ between McLaren drivers Fernando Alonso and Lewis Hamilton.
On the eve of practice for the Turkish grand prix, the feuding pair were excused from official duties, including media interviews, at the Istanbul circuit and instead met in the presence of team chiefs in a downtown hotel.
Haug, team engine partner Mercedes-Benz’s competition director, divulged only that “internal matters” were discussed at the meeting, despite assumptions that the drivers were told in no uncertain terms by team boss Ron Dennis that the hostility of the recent Hungarian grand prix should not be repeated.
The German insisted, however, that it is “understandable” that the pair are hardly the best of friends as they battle for the 2007 title.
“Those who contend for places five and ten have an easier task to be good friends,” Haug added, “but our opponents are outside, and not inside, the team.”
