Lewis Hamilton and Fernando Alonso have held clear-the-air talks at an Istanbul hotel in an effort to avoid a repeat of the events that unfolded during a turbulent Hungarian Grand Prix weekend.

Ron Dennis, the McLaren team principal, was a furious and frustrated figure at the Hungaroring in Budapest as his two star drivers became embroiled in a battle on and off the track that sullied the name of his team.

Hamilton initiated the furore by ignoring team orders at the start of the final qualifying session as he was specifically instructed over the radio on five separate occasions to allow Alonso by. Hamilton opted not to do so, fearing it would compromise his own qualifying strategy at Budapest's Hungaroring, which angered his 26-year-old team-mate.

Alonso subsequently replied in kind by deliberately blocking the world championship leader in the pit lane, so preventing the 22-year-old Briton from embarking on a final flying lap.

Although Alonso managed to clinch pole, race stewards deemed he had "unnecessarily impeded another driver" and so demoted him to sixth on the grid.

Before the stewards delivered their verdict, Hamilton was first involved in a row with Dennis over the radio at the end of the qualifying period. A war of words also followed between Hamilton and Alonso as each gave their version of events, culminating in the stewards siding with the Briton.

With Hamilton elevated to pole, he comfortably claimed victory, while Alonso came home fourth and now a seven-point gap exists between the duo with six grands prix remaining.

Hamilton conceded immediately after the race that Alonso had not spoken to him since qualifying, underlining the degeneration in their previously fragile relationship. The silence was punctuated by a telephone call between the duo as Formula One began its short summer hiatus, and Hamilton insisting he and Alonso were "not drivers at war."

However, up until today they had not met face-to-face, and with the world expecting hostilities to be resumed at this weekend's Turkish Grand Prix, Dennis felt it imperative the matter was put to rest.

What is surprising, given the grave nature of the situation, is the summit meeting was not called prior to today, and that it has been allowed to drag on for over two weeks. It means for the second consecutive grand prix, Hamilton and Alonso managed to avoid customary media duties on the day prior to a race.

In Budapest, they were withdrawn from press events as Dennis opted at the time to shield them from questions with regard to the 'spy' saga. There is nothing in the FIA regulations that state drivers have to speak to the media on a Thursday, so no sanction is applicable.

McLaren's explanation is that with various personnel subject to holiday commitments, this was the first available day on which all concerned could sit down and discuss the ongoing issues.

Hamilton and Alonso were also involved in sponsors' events early today, and due to the inordinate amount of time that can be wasted in getting to and from the Istanbul Park circuit, it was decided it would be more beneficial if they did not appear at the track.

However, at a karting event for team sponsors Vodafone, Alonso was not allowed to field questions with regard to team matters. Such searching questions will probably have come from Dennis, who will be hoping Hamilton and Alonso can again find a way to work together for the remainder of this season at least.