FIA investigates McLaren over possible breach of sport-code
The FIA has launched an investigation into incidents involving the McLaren Mercedes team for a possible breach of the rules in Sunday's Monaco Grand Prix.
McLaren denied using team orders, which have been banned since 2002, but said they had employed team strategy.
The FIA is investigating a possible breach of the international sporting code.
The code states it will punish "any fraudulent conduct or any act prejudicial to the interests of any competition or to the interests of motor sport generally."
But a McLaren spokesman insisted: "We are very confident about FIA's investigation into our race strategy.
Hamilton was hoping to claim his maiden Formula One victory and extend his lead over Alonso in the drivers' championship. But the 22-year-old was instructed "to take it easy" late on after he closed to within 0.8 seconds of the double world champion.
That left the Spaniard clear to take his second victory of the season 4.095 seconds ahead of his young title rival but left Hamilton bemoaning his second fiddle role.
However, Dennis said he had a clear conscience and insisted there was nothing wrong with his plans for the 78-lap race. "Team strategy is what you bring to bear to win a Grand Prix; team orders are what you bring to bear to manipulate a Grand Prix. We do not, and have not, manipulated Grands Prix unless there are some exceptional circumstances," he said.
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