Hamilton leads Alonso by 14 points in the championship

However, the defending world champion believes McLaren would prefer Hamilton to win Sunday's British Grand Prix.

"I am convinced the 14-point difference will disappear and to be able to reduce that deficit in his home would give me a morale boost," said Alonso.

"They'd prefer Hamilton to win, I don't think there will be any argument."

Alonso's claim about McLaren's preference for a Hamilton victory at Silverstone is the latest in a series of remarks by the world champion betraying his discomfort with his situation at the team, who he joined this year.

"If he wins it helps the team. The team wanted me to win in Barcelona and they want Hamilton to win at Silverstone," the Spaniard added.

"We will be in England and we have a Spanish driver and an English driver and the Englishman is leading the championship."

I will not allow myself to indulge in emotion that is counter productive to the team Ron Dennis

McLaren team boss Ron Dennis insists he is remaining emotionally detached as he balances the needs of his two drivers and the team as a whole.

Alonso has struggled to adapt to his new team, while Hamilton has been a sensation and is on his way to making history by becoming the first driver to win the title in his first season.

Dennis said: "One of the problems we have in the team at the moment is that we are all trying to behave correctly, and do the right thing and try to be balanced in how we respond to the success and failure of the team as a whole and the drivers.

"I am phenomenally fond of both drivers. I have a huge respect for Fernando's achievements and clearly I have respect for what Lewis has achieved this season and in the rest of his career.

"But I will not allow myself to indulge in emotion that is counter-productive to the interest of the team.

606: DEBATE Give your reaction to Alonso's comments

"I close down, come to the race, and try to be absolutely professional," added Dennis.

Dennis last month stepped in to try to prevent problems arising between the drivers by asking them to not talk about each other when they were not in the same room.

The team boss was concerned the duo were being misquoted when talking about one another following the United States Grand Prix, but Alonso denied such an arrangement had been made.