Alonso clarifies Renault comments

The Renault driver caused a stir with his comments in the Spanish media, which quoted Alonso as saying he had never received any help from the French squad.

"They haven't helped me at all in the four or five years that I have been here," Alonso was quoted as saying. "When there was a test or a race where I needed something, I didn't get much.

"Everybody knows what happened in some races last year and the conversations we had on the radio everybody could hear. So this year I'm not expecting much from the team."

Alonso, who will leave Renault to drive for McLaren next season, clarified his comments after today's qualifying, saying he has always been backed by Renault.

"I wish to clarify comments I made yesterday after they were interpreted in this morning's press," said Alonso. "I want to reiterate that I have always enjoyed total technical support from Renault.

"Renault is known everywhere as a team that treats both of its drivers fairly and equally."