Taking next season off from F1 remains option for Fernando Alonso

Many acknowledge Hamilton and Alonso as the fastest drivers in Formula One, and in the Englishman’s rookie season eight years ago his performance against the Spaniard at McLaren established him as a major contender.

Dennis told reporters in Abu Dhabi that he was open to Alonso taking a year out if the vehicle is off the pace in testing, but said it was not the current plan.

McLaren decided as this was the last race of the year, and given the fact Dennis had not attended a grand prix since Japan, along with the volume of requests for an interview, the 68-year-old would be given the opportunity to air his thoughts.

Having addressed his team earlier in the day, telling the crew of his belief in them and that the Woking outfit team will return to its winning ways – after which he received a standing ovation – Ron Dennis held a press conference at which he appeared to throw Alonso a lifeline. I don’t think it is a negative.

Abu Dhabi: Fernando Alonso admitted on Thursday that he needed the pain of his hugely-challenging, and mostly disappointing, year with McLaren-Honda to re-ignite his desire for success – and a bid for a third drivers’ world title next year. “It is important in a team and it has definitely helped us this year”.

Team-mate Jenson Button, the 2009 champion, has scored 16 points and McLaren – the sport’s second most successful team – have not won a race since 2012.

Ferrari, however, could be in trouble with race officials, after Mercedes wrote to FIA stewards following concerns that the Italian team might have benefited from extra wind tunnel time, made accessible through their working relationship with the new F1 team Haas. The answer is expected to be adjudicated upon before the race.

“It doesn’t really make a difference what my thoughts are”, said Hamilton.

Button said: “Even if I had the option I’d want to build a auto around me for the following year”. I took a high level of flak out of that weekend. I’m disappointed with myself with one of the things I’ve taken off the vehicle, but I couldn’t do anything. “For sure if he is going to pressure someone I think it would be Honda to do a good job”, he said. Vettel, the four-time world champion, will start 16th at the Yas Marina Circuit after Ferrari miscalculated the cut-off time required to make it through to Q2.