A sheepish Fernando Alonso has denied deliberately preventing McLaren team-mate Lewis Hamilton from taking pole position at the Hungarian Grand Prix.

Rookie championship leader Hamilton had proved quicker than his world champion team-mate during qualifying, and continued the trend during the final session.

But, with both drivers pitting for fresh tyres before mounting a final assault, Alonso remained static for several seconds with Hamilton forced to wait behind.

The Spaniard then managed to improve upon his team-mate's previous best but, because of his prolonged wait, the chequered flag fell before Hamilton could respond.

Alonso later deflected the suggestion he deliberately waited, saying: "You can ask the team this question, because I am always monitoring the pitstop by the radio. They do the calculations, they find the gaps and I just drive the car.

"I am always ready to go, as soon as they put on the tyres."


Doubts

Putting on a united front alongside Alonso following qualifying, Hamilton nevertheless voiced his doubts.


"I was obviously told on the way in that Fernando was doing his stop and that I should back off so I didn't have to queue," he said.


"That's what I did, so I saved some time coming round the last corner and into the pits.


"But for some reason he was just held there."

When asked how much more time he would have needed to cross the start-finish line and compete another qualifying lap, Hamilton responded: "About the same amount of time that I was held up in the pitstop.

"I really don't understand why I was held back. So I guess you should ask the team and I definitely will do when I go back and have a debrief.


"It definitely needs a good explanation.


"I'm not angry. I'm curious as to what's gone on and I find it quite interesting and amusing."

Source: www.skysports.com