Lewis Hamilton and Jenson Button face the prospect of being at opposite ends of the grid for Sunday’s Australian Grand Prix given the differing fortunes of the two British Formula One stars at the start of the new season. 

The threat of a boycott of the United States Grand Prix is firmly on the table following a meeting of the owners of Lotus, Force India and Sauber.

Formula One team Sauber have rejected reports that their financial backing from three Russian government agencies had not materialised.