THE WORLD 500cc champion Mick Doohan, badly injured in a crash at the Spanish Grand Prix in May, has hinted that he might retire from racing next year. "Unless I think I can win, I won't be getting back on the bike," the Australian said. "Unless I can be competitive I'm not interested."

IT TAKES special qualities to become a champion at any level and Alex Criville demonstrated the fighting spirit here yesterday that could take him to a first world 500cc championship. He completed a victory in the British Grand Prix that seemed unlikely a week ago, when he lay under a tyre barrier with a dislocated left hip after crashing at the Dutch TT race.

IT TAKES a special breed of rider to make the grade in grand prix racing; single-minded determination that pushes the rider through any adversity. A classic example of this is Alex Criville, the Spanish rider who competes for a fifth victory of the season here tomorrow to maintain his hopes of a maiden world 500cc championship crown.

Norman Fox explains why the Isle of Man TT is revered in Japan

HONDA CONFIRMED yesterday they are joining forces with the British American Racing team next year for a minimum of three seasons. The Japanese company will not only supply engines, but also be involved in chassis development.

finds controversy and the new boys are close friends

MICHAEL DOOHAN, the 500cc world champion, broke his left wrist, right leg and left collarbone after crashing at 110mph during qualifying for the Spanish Grand Prix in Jerez de la Frontera yesterday.

Grand prix teams are plotting to block Honda's return by banning V12 motors.

A PHOTO shoot in the heart of London to launch a limited-edition Jordan Honda Civic road car and a Jordan Honda motorbike, both in the distinctive yellow livery of the Formula One car, could have been a million miles from a grand prix circuit, let alone the spectre of the sport's darkest weekend in recent times, but the memories inexorably closed in on Damon Hill yesterday.

Alex Criville of Spain leads during the early stages of yesterday's Malaysian Grand Prix. The race was won by Kenny Roberts jnr, bringing Suzuki their first victory since Daryl Beattie beat his fellow Australian, Michael Doohan, in the 1995 German Grand Prix. It was a quick return on Suzuki's investment in Roberts to break Honda's stranglehold. They had won 42 of the previous 44 races. Roberts led from the second of 21 laps and finished well ahead of Spain's Carlos Checa, on a Yamaha. Doohan was fourth on his Honda as he began his push for a sixth successive crown.

THE REIGNING world champion, Michael Doohan, remained tight-lipped over his future in the sport yesterday during official practice for Sunday's 500cc Malaysian Grand Prix.

MOTOR RACING

Andrew Martin finds Blackburn's most phlegmatic son planning to keep busy by winning a fourth world title

DAMON HILL has called for more power from his engine suppliers, Honda, so that his Jordan team can mount a serious world championship challenge this season.