Alonso Plans for 2016 F1

Fernando Alonso, a two-times Formula One world champion, insists he will be on the grid for the 2016 curtain-raiser in Australia.

The McLaren chairman, Ron Dennis, claimed at the final race of the season in Abu Dhabi that Alonso, who has two years to run on his deal with the British team, may consider taking next year off from the sport.

But Alonso, speaking from Wembley Stadium, dismissed suggestions of a sabbatical. Asked if he will be in Melbourne for the season-opening Australian Grand Prix, the 34-year-old said: “Yes. I talked to Ron on Friday. I told him what had been published. He said, ‘I didn’t mean that and tomorrow I will clarify it.’ On Saturday he clarified but no one copied that.

“I said the opposite on Friday, Saturday, Sunday and I’m sure in January and February I will keep answering the same questions about my future.”

Alonso has just finished his worst season in Formula One following his move from Ferrari to rejoin McLaren. The Spaniard retired from eight races – the most since his opening season in the sport with Minardi – and scored a paltry 11 points.

Alonso, who won the first of his successive titles with Renault a decade ago, said motivation will play a key role in whether he extends his grand prix career beyond 2017.

“We have to be open to any possibility,” said Alonso. “Right now it is too long ahead to think. Let’s see what happens in one and a half years, what the situation is, what targets we have met and what the motivations are to keep going on in Formula One.”

McLaren’s disastrous season may drive unsentimental Honda out of F1

Jenson Button, who became the first team-mate to finish a season with more points than Alonso, says his partnership with the Spaniard will help drive McLaren forward.

“He is a good team-mate to have,” Button said. “He is experienced like me. The feedback is good and the team really listen to us.

“If we were two young drivers, the team would be developing the car in a certain direction but because of our experience they listen to us and we help develop the car.

“It is the perfect situation for the team having us two in there and we enjoy being part of the development progress.”

Related articles

• Button: Formula 1 joy has gone
• Showdown talks as Button set for Formula 1 exit
• VIDEO: Button still tight-lipped on future
• Reports: Jenson Button set to announce retirement from Formula One
• Cagey Jenson Button raises possibility of a future outside F1
• Jenson Button retirement: Formula One ace admits decision has been made over his future

Marquez Winner in Australia

Marc Márquez snatched the lead from Jorge Lorenzo on a thrilling last lap to win a classic Australian Grand Prix on Sunday.

After a thrilling scrap, the Spanish Honda rider roared home to pull clear of Lorenzo before the final turn and win his first race at Phillip Island and fifth for the season.

The appeal of this Brad Pitt-produced documentary will depend entirely on your interest in watching men leaning over at high speed

Lorenzo’s runner-up finish, 0.249 seconds behind Márquez, closed the gap from championship leader Valentino Rossi to 11 points ahead of the penultimate race in Malaysia next week.

Ducati’s Andrea Iannone completed the podium, holding Rossi out on a glorious day at the seaside circuit.

In the Moto2 category, rookie Alex Rins won his second race of the season for Paginas Amarillas HP40 ahead of Speed Up Racing’s Sam Lowes and Forward Racing’s Lorenzo Baldassarri.

Miguel Oliveira sealed his fourth win of the season in Moto3 after Leopard Racing’s championship leader Danny Kent was taken out of the race in a crash during lap 14. Efren Vazquez and Brad Binder completed the podium.

Related articles

• Motorcycling-Motorcycling Grand Prix San Marino motogp qualification results
• MotoGP leader Valentino Rossi wary of Jorge Lorenzo, Marc Marquez threat
• Marc Marquez wins as Valentino Rossi extends overall lead
• Marc Marquez wins as Valentino Rossi extends overall lead
• Marquez profits on Rossi errors to win San Marino GP

Lorenzo Wins Australia

Getty Images

Jorge Lorenzo's MotoGP world title hopes remain alive after he won a dramatic Australian Grand Prix which saw championship leader Marc Marquez disqualified.

Yamaha's Lorenzo, who started from pole and led throughout, now trails his fellow Spaniard by 18 points going into next week's penultimate race in Japan.

Riders had to change bikes mid-race because of safety concerns over tyres.

But Marquez failed to pit by the required time and scored no points.

After the race, BBC Sport's MotoGP presenter Matt Roberts tweeted that Marquez's Honda team had said it was a pit-board error which led to their rider being disqualified.

Dani Pedrosa was second while Valentino Rossi held off the challenge of Britain's Cal Crutchlow for third.

Lorenzo described the race as "crazy" because of the compulsory bike change but his maximum return of 25 points, coupled with Marquez failing to register, means the title race has been opened up.

"We were lucky," said Lorenzo. "Without the mistake from Marc I think he would have been first or second - now the championship has changed so much.

"Before the race we had no chance - a 2% or 3% chance - and now it's 20% or 30%.

"Let's see what happens in Motegi." [the venue for next Sunday's race in Japan]

After setting the fastest time in qualifying, Lorenzo started well from pole and held off Marquez and Pedrosa in the opening lap before looking very comfortable.

Tyre supplier Bridgestone said before the race that they were unable to guarantee the safety of their rear slick tyres beyond 10 laps because of the newly-resurfaced track at Phillip Island.

As a result, it was decided to shorten the race to 19 laps from 27, with a mid-race pit stop.

Pedrosa was the first of the top three to pit on lap nine, while Lorenzo made his change on the following lap.

However, Marquez stayed out on the track until lap 11 and when he rejoined the race he had a minor clash with Lorenzo for top spot but the race leader retained his advantage.

Marquez's hopes of securing the title in his rookie season then suffered a blow when he was shown the black flag for exceeding the maximum number of laps permitted before having to pit.

Result

1. Jorge Lorenzo (Spain) Yamaha 29 minutes 07.155 seconds

2. Dani Pedrosa (Spain) Honda +6.936 secs

3. Valentino Rossi (Italy) Yamaha +12.344

4. Cal Crutchlow (Britain) Yamaha +12.460

5. Alvaro Bautista (Spain) Honda +12.513

6. Bradley Smith (Britain) Yamaha +28.263

7. Nicky Hayden (US) Ducati +32.953

8. Andrea Iannone (Italy) Ducati +35.062

9. Andrea Dovizioso (Italy) Ducati +35.104

10. Randy de Puniet (France) Aprilia +37.426

Championship standings

1. Marc Marquez (Spain) Honda 298 points

2. Jorge Lorenzo (Spain) Yamaha 280

3. Dani Pedrosa (Spain) Honda 264

4. Valentino Rossi (Italy) Yamaha 214

5. Cal Crutchlow (Great Britain) Yamaha 179

Related articles

• Lorenzo Poles Downunder
• Marques Marcs Aragon Pole
• Lorenzo Marc's Win Three
• Lorenzo wins dramatic Australian GP
• Marquez in Practice Crash
• Marquez on pole for MotoGP Malaysia