Punished McLaren fastest at Spa

By Alan Baldwin

SPA-FRANCORCHAMPS, Belgium (Reuters) - McLaren's Fernando Alonso lapped fastest in free practice for the Belgian Grand Prix on Friday after one of the darkest days in the team's Formula One history.

Stripped of their 2007 constructors' points and fined $100 million (50 million pounds) by the governing International Automobile Federation (FIA) for a spying scandal at a hearing in Paris on Thursday, the former championship leaders did their talking on the track.

Double world champion Alonso lapped in one minute 46.654 seconds with championship-leading team mate Lewis Hamilton second quickest.

Hamilton is three points ahead with four races remaining in a drivers' championship that was not affected by Thursday's verdict.

Brazilian Felipe Massa and Finland's Kimi Raikkonen, whose Ferrari team have effectively clinched the constructors' championship with McLaren's elimination, were third and fourth respectively in the afternoon session.

Alonso told reporters it had been a "normal Friday" as far as he was concerned while Hamilton said the team was as enthusiastic as ever.

"It's quite easy to focus," said the Briton. "If anything it may be harder for the team, but they're doing a great job. The team have been through a lot this year but they are still fighting.

"If anything, this makes us more determined," added Hamilton. "We continue pushing and will try to win as many races as possible."