Lewis Hamilton says that the his troubled co-existence at McLaren with Fernando Alonso back in 2007 was based on a 'toxic' relationship, and one which affected the whole team.
As pundits continue to speculate on the McLaren drivers' future, the prospect of seeing Alonso move to Mercedes has emerged.
But a rekindled Hamilton/Alonso pairing could revive the tensions which blew the relationship between the two drivers apart in 2007, although Alonso contends that his beef at the time was with McLaren supremo Ron Dennis rather than with his team mate.
But when asked if he would want to be associated with Alonso again, Hamilton told Spain's El Pais:
"It's not just about me, but the hundreds of people working in the team.
"My relationship with Fernando was toxic and it intoxicated the whole team.
"So yes it was personal. There are people with whom you get along and others who you cannot coexist with in any way," said Hamilton.
"If you put two world champions in the same team, each will try to do his best and neither will give way on a single corner. There is too much friction."
But the Briton said that in the years since the "toxic" McLaren season, he actually now gets along with Alonso.
"Formula 1 is a show and there are very few drivers who are able to make it that show," said Hamilton.
"There's Alonso, Vettel, myself ... So I hope they (McLaren) can solve the problems he is having with his team."
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