Feuding Alonso and Hamilton talk Turkey
The clear blue water dividing Fernando Alonso from his embittered team-mate Lewis Hamilton dominated conversation in a city where only the narrow Bosphorus strait separates Europe from Asia.
The big question was whether the the McLaren drivers could strike a truce at yesterday's crisis talks in Turkey or let their internal conflict erupt into all-out war on the track at this weekend's Formula One Grand Prix.
The two were not on speaking terms as they left the Hungaroring. The team was in disarray, docked points for their role in trying to cover up Alonso's underhand antics and struggling to stop their dream line-up divorcing after a first season together.
Solving the Hamilton-Alonso problem will not be so swiftly dealt with. McLaren were refusing to comment on yesterday's meeting between the two drivers, Dennis, his No 2 Martin Whitmarsh and Mercedes chief Norbert Haug.
In any event, they will pretend all is hunky-dory. The team even suggested that the failure of Alonso and Hamilton to face the press on the traditional Thursday media day, for the second race running, was not to dodge the civil war issue.
But the sport's supremo Bernie Ecclestone spoke for the majority when he said: "It's a bit disappointing and strange that the top two in the championship are not available to talk to the media. It's odd because I would have thought McLaren's sponsors would want to see them in the media."
Eccelstone however will no doubt be delighted to see the Grand Prix take place at the Formula 1 track Istanbul Park this weekend. Eccelstone has said that F1 Istnabul Park is 'the best track in the world'and signed a 15 year endorsement agreement.