F1: Alonso's comments lacked professionalism, admits Dennis

McLaren boss Ron Dennis says that Fernando Alonso's radio comments during the Japanese GP resulted from frustration – but added that he regarded it as lacking “professionalism.”

Alonso likened the Honda power unit to a GP2 engine after he struggled to fight with rivals at Suzuka.

“That is just frustration,” said Dennis of Alonso's comments. “Anything that is coming out of our drivers at the moment has its origins in frustration and disappointment and demotivation. We are all demotivated. I still cannot understand why everyone doesn't appreciate the simple fact that you are not going to win the world championship if you have a second string engine. It is just not going to happen.

“And therefore we have to go through the pain, go through this learning curve and get a competitive engine. That is not a derogatory comment against Honda. Honda had the president of company, the president of R&D, the president of Honda Motor Company, all of these people are here totally committed.

“They understand what has to be done, and of course they are resourcing and increasing resources and putting more money and effort in to it and we will get there. It is just a bit painful at the moment. But we will get there.”

Pressed on Alonso's comments he said: “I am not going to condone those sorts of things, because it doesn't show the professionalism that I would like all our drivers to show, but he is in the car, he is frustrated and of course his exposure to the technical staff, maybe it was not a particularly constructive way to communicate with everyone at Honda. But the way for me to deal with drivers is either through the appropriate management channels which is Eric or in certain circumstances myself. Whatever I choose to do, or however it is done, it remains a team matter, not a matter for the media.”