Formula One to monitor McLaren drivers

Sao Paulo -- The ruling body of Formula One racing announced Thursday communications involving McLaren drivers would be monitored during Sunday's season-ending race.

McLaren's two drivers -- Lewis Hamilton and Fernando Alonso -- hold down the top two places in the points race and will be battling for the championship at the Brazilian Grand Prix.

Since the drivers have a strained relationship, and since there have been reported differences between Alonso and team manager Ron Dennis, officials in Formula One want to make sure Dennis gives both drivers an equal chance to win.

The decision to listen in on the communications between the drivers and their pits came after a request to do so came from the Spanish Motorsport Federation.

Alonso said earlier this year that Hamilton was getting preferential treatment.

At the Hungarian Grand Prix, Alonso delayed leaving the pit box so Hamilton had one fewer qualifying lap than he should have. Formula One officials took the pole away from Alonso at that race and gave it to Hamilton.

Hamilton has 107 points going into the final race, four points in front of Alonso.

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