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McLaren's drivers stop griping before decisive Grand Prix

All the griping and complaints from McLaren drivers seem to have disappeared just before tomorrow's decisive Brazilian Grand Prix.

Both Lewis Hamilton and Fernando Alonso downplayed any possible rifts between them on Thursday, saying they were overblown by the media.

"The media said many, many things about us that weren't true," Alonso said at a news conference. "We never had problems between each other. We are fighting on the track, but outside the track we had a very good relationship from day one and it's still the same."

Hamilton agreed with Alonso.

"I think [our relationship] is as good as ever. I think we have got on quite well all year, despite what the media says," Hamilton said. "They always try to make a big gap between us and they haven't really succeeded."

Alonso trails his teammate by four points entering the season finale in Brazil. Ferrari's Kimi Raikkonen is seven points back from Hamilton and also in contention.

Earlier this year, Alonso had complained he wasn't getting the respect he deserved as a two-time world champion. He hinted that McLaren -- an English team -- was favoring the rookie Briton.

The relationship between the drivers deteriorated over the season, and the team acknowledged there was "competitive tension" between them.

McLaren chief Ron Dennis said recently he wasn't talking to Alonso.

The team was later forced to announce that it would treat the drivers "with complete equality" in Brazil.
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