Hamilton and Alonso happy to be rivals

MELBOURNE, Australia (AP) -- Lewis Hamilton and Fernando Alonso stood either side of Kimi Raikkonen, arms around the 2007 champion's shoulders, all smiles for the cameras.

The camaraderie at Thursday's press conference may have been stage managed, but there's no doubt two-time champion Alonso and leading 2007 rookie Hamilton are more comfortable as rivals in the 2008 Formula One season than they were as teammates at McLaren last season.

Ferrari's Raikkonen took the 2007 title away from the McLaren pair at the season-ending Brazilian Grand Prix last October -- winning the championship by one point from both Hamilton and Alonso in the closest title race in 21 years.

In his one season with McLaren, Alonso made little attempt to hide his anger at perceived team bias to Hamilton, who was a rookie but one long groomed by the team.

Now that Alonso has returned to Renault, where he won the 2005 and 2006 driver titles, both he and Hamilton will be undisputed No. 1 drivers in their respective teams for the 2008 season, which begins at Sunday's season-opening Australian GP.

Hamilton said the transition to new teammate Heikki Kovalainen -- who swapped teams with Alonso -- had been seamless and the British youngster expects McLaren to be a serious challenger on Sunday.

"Heikki's been welcomed into the team as Fernando was," he said. "Obviously it's different; when you have a two-time world champion ... when you come into your first season and someone you've been watching for so many years, you come and you work against them -- work with them -- it's a privilege.

"From that point of view, it's a shame (Alonso) is not there but it's a new challenge for me and Heikki."

Hamilton said having Kovalainen in the team increased his motivation.

"We both have the same hunger for winning and pushing the team forward," he said. "It is quite good that we are both aiming in the same direction."

It had been widely reported that Alonso felt he did not get the treatment he deserved at McLaren as a two-time champion.

Yet when asked Thursday to respond to Renault boss Flavio Briatore's claim that Hamilton didn't give Alonso the respect he deserved, the Spaniard ignored the question -- three times.

"It's just speculation or rumors about some destructive things before starting the first race so ... nothing," Alonso said. "We are not together but we are still racing each other in different teams -- Every year is a new challenge."

With Ferrari and McLaren again expected to fight out the titles in '08, Alonso concedes it will be a rebuilding year at Renault alongside rookie Nelson Piquet Jr.-- son of former champion Nelson Piquet.

"I have Nelsinho and for sure with new drivers you learn new things," Alonso said. "It was the same last year. When I changed and I joined McLaren, Lewis was arriving in the team as well as new in Formula One, so always giving fresh ideas and a fresh way to do things and you always learn from everybody.

"For sure coming back to Renault for me is a great challenge and for them too, because they are extra motivated this year to have the success we have had in the past and I am extra motivated as well so we all have the same goal and the same target."

Red Bull driver Mark Webber expects the rivalry between Hamilton and Alonso will only intensify, even if its a slow burner this season while Renault regathers momentum.

"It could actually get nastier in terms of the battle on the track because the gloves are off," Webber said in a radio interview. "Fernando can take the fight to Lewis -- there is a bit of friction there. It could be fascinating.

"Every now and then Alonso will put the cat among the pigeons. In the overall picture, he won't win the war, but some of the battles could get juicy."

After winter testing, Ferrari is expected to be out in front this weekend under new rules that have banned traction control and engine braking.

Raikkonen won from pole position in Melbourne last year in his first race with Ferrari. Alonso and Hamilton finished second and third.

"For sure it is much easier to come now," Raikkonen said. "It is different because I know the team, know the people. Last year went very well for us. Now it should be easier as I know the team.

"The two main teams seems to be a bit ahead of the others, and four drivers, so anything can happen."