Feb.27 (GMM) Flavio Briatore is convinced that the feud involving Fernando Alonso and Lewis Hamilton last year is now over.

The Renault boss says the animosity that developed between the pair in 2007 was the result of their competitive rivalry, the reaction of the British press, and bad management by McLaren.

Referring to 26-year-old Alonso, who has returned to Renault for 2008, Briatore told the Times: "He gets bad publicity in England because last year he was fighting with Lewis Hamilton, but it is always like this in England.

"There will be no problems between Fernando and Lewis this season because they are very intelligent.

"The problem between them was not personal animosity, it was competition and the fact Fernando felt McLaren were not treating him the same as Hamilton.

"For Fernando it was a team problem not a Hamilton problem," the Italian added.

Briatore, meanwhile, has revealed the extent of his closeness to F1 chief executive Bernie Ecclestone, after the pair recently bought the London football club Queens Park Rangers.

"In the last 20 years I speak to Bernie at least five or six times a day. We are in the same business, we travel together, he is my best friend.

"Whatever I do, Bernie is always part of it. We have a very good understanding," he added.