Yes Jim I hear you and I am really worried about what will happen to Alonso without much support BUT
First Alonso has proven time and again that he is a master at what he does so he must have some deal that guarantees his car will continue to be fool proof. And remember that we only knew about how bad the relationship is last week yet he beat Hamilton in the last 3 races.
Besides if McLaren do screw up his car in Japan Alonso can easily take out Hamilton in the next race and hand the championship to Raikkonen and McLaren are very well aware of what Alonso can do (remember Hungary). They just can't mess with Alonso.
Actually no one can mess with Alonso. The whole driver market is on hold until The Cute decides on where he drives next year. He is the King
But I think there is no need to panic and for things to go nasty, as long as Raikkonen is in the hunt McLaren won't do a thing to Alonso's car, they just can't. Now ideally if Hamilton retires in Japan (he's had a few near misses lately) then it becomes nearly a done deal for Alonso.
And did you forget that you jinx whoever you put to win ?
So here are my picks (in a serious attempt to move to second in the F1 Idiots group
Winner: Fernando Alonso - Totally focussed on racing, Fantastic Fernando will be untouchable, more so if it rains
Second: Kimi Raikkonen - Just because Hamilton has an off!!
Third: Felipe Massa - Can't do better than 3rd given the circumstances
Fourth: Lewis Hamilton - Goes off chasing Alonso, lucky again to rejoin in 4th!!
Fifth: Nick Heidfeld - He has 5th place booked
Sixth: Robert Kubica - Could beat his teammate but has a problem in the pits
Seventh: Nico Rosberg - Certainly deserves a better car
Eighth: Heikki Kovalainen - Him too
Pole: Fernando Alonso - With more fuel than Hamilton and half a second faster