F1 team radio shouldn't be broadcast says McLaren's Fernando Alonso
Fernando Alonso believes radio messages between Formula 1 drivers and their teams should not be broadcast to the public on television
The McLaren driver caused a stir during the Japanese Grand Prix when he referred to his car feeling like it had a "GP2 engine" at Honda's home race.
McLaren chief Ron Dennis was unhappy with the remarks, which he felt showed a lack of "professionalism", but Alonso does not think F1 radio communications should be for public consumption.
"What you say on the radio should remain private because you are talking with your team, not publicly," said Alonso ahead of this weekend's Russian GP.
"We have been very positive all season about the team and the car, and we have faced some difficult times.
"You're battling and you can't hold anyone behind and you are losing positions, it's normal [to show frustration].
"But as I said, it's a unique sport that we have a microphone in our helmet and it goes live on TV.
"It's talking to the team, understanding the frustration driving the car.
"Imagine in NBA or football what we could find."
Alonso added there have been plenty of other comments made by he and team-mate Jenson Button this season that have not been picked up on TV.
"It's just the frustration of battling hard and wanting to be competitive," he said.
"You are fighting lap after lap and you keep losing positions easily on the straight, [so] you get some frustration on the radio.
"But I'm happy it was only broadcast in Suzuka.
"If you hear other races and other messages from me or Jenson, you would be even more surprised."
Alonso believes his meetings at the Honda factory in Sakura before the Japanese GP weekend were more important than his comments during the grand prix.
"On the Wednesday I visited the factory and I saw the engine programme for next year," he said.
"We had very long meetings, we went through the difficulties we are facing right now and the possible solutions we want for next year.
"That was the most important part of the weekend and the message of the weekend.
"Sunday['s frustration] was just the competition against the others. It's nothing new."
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