Fernando Alonso rules out retirement talk

McLaren driver Fernando Alonso poses for a selfie at the Circuit de Catalunya near Barcelona on Wednesday.(Photo: AFP)

Two-time former world champion Fernando Alonso has dismissed rumours he could take a sabbatical or even retire due to his frustration with McLaren’s inability to compete at the front of the grid.

The Spaniard signed a hugely lucrative three-year deal to join the Woking-based team in 2014, but suffered the most disappointing year of his career last season as McLaren’s new partnership with Honda produced an unreliable car.

Rumours emerged that the 34-year-old could fail to see out the season if he didn’t see significant improvements from the MP4-31 early in the campaign.

However, he insisted he plans to fulfil his contract.

“I am absolutely surprised, but every week there are rumours,” said Alonso.

“When there are too many weeks without action on the track there is a dangerous tendency to be created in the news. Now we’re on track hopefully there will be no rumours. Of course (I’ll see the season out) and the next one.

“I have never planned a sabbatical. The idea came up in Abu Dhabi (at the last race of 2015) and I refuted it the next day.

“Last year we had an immature car, but we have made important developments this season.”

“The ambition for the team is very high, I'm not here just to travel around the world and jump in the car and have some fun on Sundays,” he added.

Hulkenberg fastest Nico Hulkenberg posted the fastest time in the Force India on the third morning of pre-season testing in Barcelona as Ferrari suffered their first setback of the new season. Ferrari had topped the timesheets on both the opening days with Sebastian Vettel at the wheel.

However, Kimi Raikkonen had no such luck as a fuel system problem restricted the Finn to just four laps in the final hour before lunch.

Nico Rosberg logged 74 laps in a third fastest time behind Hulkenberg and Kevin Magnussen in the Renault.