Oct.25 (GMM) Norbert Haug has rejected claims that McLaren should have benched Fernando Alonso for the final races of 2007.

Renault boss Flavio Briatore earlier this week said the tension between teammates Lewis Hamilton and Fernando Alonso was a devastating factor as the battle against Ferrari reached its climax in Brazil last Sunday.

"They should have put a reserve in Alonso's place and Hamilton would have won without any problem," the Italian told Antenna 3 television.

Haug, who is competition director for McLaren's engine partner Mercedes-Benz, responded: "I did not see that comment, but we believe we acted correctly.

"Lewis' problem in the final races was not Fernando."

The German also rejected Alain Prost's claim that McLaren should have nominated a clear 'number one' driver in 2007.

Haug told the Bild-Zeitung newspaper on Thursday: "Our problem was not the equality of the drivers, but a problem in China and a gearbox problem last Sunday."

The German admitted, however, that McLaren chiefs are currently "discussing internally" the appearance of the 2008 driver lineup, amid intense rumours that Alonso is set to leave the team.