Hamilton fears for job

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Lewis Hamilton fears he could be out of a job next weekend due to the politics within Formula One that are also threatening to hound embattled McLaren boss Ron Dennis from the sport.

Hamilton's championship lead has been cut again, with the 22-year-old just three points clear of team-mate Fernando Alonso following the Spaniard's victory in the Italian Grand Prix.

The young Briton clinched second - his 11th podium finish in 13 races in his rookie season - courtesy of two stunning overtaking manoeuvres for McLaren's first one-two at Monza.

The triumph was a particularly significant one for Dennis given the furore that rages in the background, and yesterday's attempt by the Italian authorities to disrupt team affairs, with the 60-year-old in tears at the end.

Dennis concedes to "riding an emotional rollercoaster" these days, not helped by the latest rumour that should he resign at the end of the year then all the behind-the-scenes problems will disappear.

Despite Hamilton and Alonso now being close to turning the title race into a two-horse affair, and with McLaren 23 points ahead of Ferrari in the constructors' standings, all that could yet be wiped away on Thursday.

The threat of expulsion from the championship hangs over McLaren in light of "new evidence" in the spy scandal that will see the World Motor Sport Council reconvene in Paris to discuss the issue.

Emotional

"If you sit down and think about it, I could have what I've worked for and what all the team have worked for, taken away," Hamilton told ITV Sport.

"And when you really think about that, you think 'wow' I could be out of a job next weekend and then what happens.

"It was going so well, and then you just get this big knife that cuts off your blood line.

"It is a bit disappointing when you read things about it - I won't go into it because I'll get emotional - but I really do have such a great belief in my team.

"I have 100 percent confidence in them, so that's why it is easy for me just to relax."

Politics

Hamilton also has total confidence in Dennis, who he feels sorry for given the maelstrom that has enveloped him this season.

In his debut season, which on track has been a dream, he concedes the political machinations behind the scenes have sickened him.

"I never actually thought I'd be sitting here saying I hate something about Formula One," added Hamilton.

"But the politics and people wanting to be bigger than others is just incredible.

"I would say to you all that Ron has always been very, very loyal to me, has always given me the opportunity and he has always been such a great man to me.

"I have never had any reasons to not believe him.

"He is going through a time right now where I think some people are trying to bring him down and right now the best thing for me is to give him support.

"Formula One would not be the same without McLaren, so let's just keep our fingers crossed that nothing else is going to happen.

"It is for him and all the other people that are outside trying to figure out exactly what we need to do to basically keep ourselves here."