May 13 (GMM) McLaren should not break its policy of driver equality in 2008, the team's British driver Lewis Hamilton insists.

Despite the 23-year-old's 14 point advantage over his new teammate Heikki Kovalainen, and the Mercedes-powered team's championship deficits to the dominant Ferrari, Hamilton remains committed to McLaren's long-standing avoidance of so-called 'number one' drivers.

Many pundits insist that Woking-based McLaren's failure to beat Ferrari to the crowns last year was its reluctance to favour either the now departed Fernando Alonso, or Hamilton.

But even though Hamilton is regarded by some as the obvious choice as McLaren's potential no.1, the Briton insists that he wants the policy of driver equality to continue.

When asked if his higher status should be confirmed at Monaco, where last year he was ordered to finish behind Alonso, Hamilton replied: "No, I don't think so."

Last year's championship runner-up said Kovalainen, a Finn, "had a fantastic race" despite his damaging early pitstop last weekend in Turkey.

"We're a team and I want it to continue as it is, fair and square," Hamilton added.