Button to quit F1 if Mclaren does not offer him contract for 2016
Singapore: Formula One driver Jenson Button says he will quit the sport if he does not get a contract from McLaren-Honda in 2016. McLaren are yet to decide whether to retain the 35-year-old Button next season as he gets ready for this weekend’s Singapore Grand Prix. The Briton driver hoped that there is a decision on his future “in a couple of weeks”. On the eve of the Singapore GP practice, Button said he was not interested in moving to another team. “If I’m in F1, it will be with this team. I have had some tough times here but I have a lot of respect for them and for Honda. This is the team for the future,” Button said on Thursday. McLaren have been uncompetitive this year, largely because of the lack of performance of the Honda engine on the Japanese company’s return to the sport after a six-year absence. Speaking on the season so far, Button said, “It’s been a very tough season mentally for the whole team.” “For everyone it’s been a really tough season. But everyone’s stayed positive and got their heads down. We’re all focusing on improving,” Jenson Button said. (IANS)
Rahane given CCI’s honorary lifetime membership
Mumbai: India batsman Ajinkya Rahane on Friday was conferred with honorary lifetime membership of Cricket Club of India (CCI) here. Founded in 1933, the CCI is one of the oldest and most wellknown cricket clubs in India. It was conceived as India’s counterpart to the Marylebone Cricket Club (MCC). Rahane and his wife Radhika Dhopavkar were given membership cards by CCI president Kekoo Nicholson. The couple can now avail all facilities of the club. “When we travel abroad for matches, we hear about CCI being a well known and prestigious club. It is a historic venue we all know that. India attained the No.1 Test ranking here (during a Test against Sri Lanka in 2010-11). I am humbled to be here and receive the membership. Thank you again,” the Mumbai based batsman said. The right-handed batsman is currently gearing up for the forthcoming series against South Africa at home. (IANS)
Dhoni stars in UK-based charity match
London: India’s limited-overs captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni smashed the winning runs for his side Heroes XI in the inaugural T20 match fundraiser, ‘Cricket for Heroes’, against Rest of the World XI at The Kia Oval here. The match raised 650,000 US Dollars for a UK military charity, which caters to the sick, injured and seriously wounded British soldiers and their families, as the Andrew Strauss-led Heroes XI beat the ROW XI by four wickets. The match saw big names from the world of cricket as Dhoni combined with Virender Sehwag to provide wholesome entertainment to the 20,000 packed crowd in Surrey. Crowds were thrilled by the likes of Mahela Jayawardene, Brendon McCullum, Matthew Hayden and former England captain Strauss, who rolled back the years with 26 off 17 balls – an innings that raised 4,000 Pounds (8,666 USD) by itself after a generous supporter sponsored him 1,000 Pounds (2,166 USD) per boundary. Teams for the Thursday night extravaganza were selected by England legend Alan Lamb and the sides managed by no less than Michael Holding, David Gower, Sunil Gavaskar and Gary Kirsten. Big-hitting Kiwi McCullum captained the Rest of the World XI and wore a GoPro for a large part of his time at the crease – watching from the other end as Mahela produced a master class in T20 batting. (PTI)
