LONDON - FORMULA One world champion Fernando Alonso has made it clear that winning the constructors' title with McLaren is not his priority.
The Spaniard, whose relationship with the Mercedes-powered team has become increasingly fraught, said after winning the Italian Grand Prix on Sunday that retaining his own crown was what mattered most.
Alonso, who won his last two titles with Renault and has been linked with a possible return to the French team, is three points behind teammate Lewis Hamilton with four races remaining.
The Spanish ace has 89 points to the British rookie's 92.
Asked whether it would be more special to become champion in a season that has seen McLaren face so many obstacles, including allegations that they benefited from leaked Ferrari data, he replied:
'It means a lot to become world champion, but, at least for me, it is not special if around the team, there are problems.
'The constructors' championship, from a driver's point of view, is not really a big factor.
'I have said all my life that I put 10 points, from zero to 10, to win the drivers' world championship. To win the constructors' championship is eight points.
'It is not the same to me.'
His behaviour at Monza was closely monitored as there had been speculation in the paddock that the alleged e-mail messages between him and McLaren test driver Pedro de la Rosa could be used against the team in the spy controversy involving Ferrari.
Formula One's governing body is meeting tomorrow to consider 'new evidence' in the case.
It has already warned McLaren that they could be excluded from this and next year's championships.
To some onlookers, Alonso seemed to snub the team in his moment of victory.
After his wins, he has usually veered across to the cheering team members on the pit wall to acknowledge them. He did not do so on Sunday.
'We were too fast in Monza and, if you go too close to them, then there is too much air coming to them. It is more dangerous here than in any other place,' he explained at a press conference.
The answer was met with laughter.
McLaren chief executive Martin Whitmarsh played down the incident.
'I think we've all got different personalities,' he said. 'I saw Fernando get out of the car and he looked like he was enjoying it.
'I'm confident both our drivers are going to be with us, and they are going to be fighting throughout next year for the world championship again.'
