Alonso steps up Hamilton mind games

(GMM) New championship leader Fernando Alonso on Monday stepped up a psychological offensive against Lewis Hamilton after beating his rookie teammate in the Monaco grand prix.

McLaren's implementation of possibly illegal team tactics in the race has sparked a storm of controversy, but Spaniard Alonso insists that his win on Sunday reinstates the championship advantage in his favor.

Referring to 22-year-old Hamilton, Alonso told the newspaper Diario As: "He told me that he hit the guardrails five or six times. At another race, that would be a retirement, no?

"Lewis and I are even (on points), but out of five races I have won two.

"We are involved in a world championship battle on the limit. Sooner or later someone is going to make a mistake that leaves him out of the battle.

"I hope that it won't be me.

Alonso also revealed that comments made by Ferrari's Felipe Massa before the race may only have strengthened his resolve to snatch Hamilton's championship lead in Monaco.

Massa had suggested that the young Briton could be the most "dangerous" title rival in 2007.

"These things make you smile when you claim the victory," Alonso said.