Oct.20 (GMM) Ron Dennis on Saturday played down any suggestion that McLaren's qualifying tactics disadvantaged Fernando Alonso in Brazil.

Spaniard Alonso, the lowest placed McLaren or Ferrari runner after the decisive qualifying session of the season at Interlagos, suggested that his super-soft Bridgestones wore out for his final flying lap because he had to push too hard on the out-lap.

"The main problem was starting behind my teammate as usual," he told Italian television RAI.

Dennis, the McLaren chief, confirmed that McLaren ran the clock close in the 'Q3' phase as both Lewis Hamilton and teammate Alonso were given an additional fuel burning lap.

But Alonso, 26, commented: "To pass the finish line with just three seconds to go makes you go too fast on the out lap."

Dennis reacted to reporters: "I don't think it hampered either driver.

"They both got the same advantage and we're quite happy with qualifying.

"We obviously cut it fine but it all worked as planned. Fernando and Lewis had the same advantage."