Alonso cautious amid Chinese doping threat

Not every driver is being as cautious as Ferrari’s Fernando Alonso this week in China.

We revealed on Thursday that teams have been informally warned by Shanghai officials about the threat of radiation from the Japanese nuclear disaster, and also the possible ingestion of the animal meat steroid clenbuterol.

Clenbuterol is the performance-enhancing drug that has jeopardised the career of Spanish cycler Alberto Contador.

Countryman Alonso, a keen cycler and once linked with setting up a Tour de France team featuring Contador, has confirmed in China that - away from the Ferrari kitchen - he is eating only rice boiled in mineral water, and taking short showers.

The Diario Informacion newspaper said the Ferrari driver is also eating energy bars and brushing his teeth with bottled water.

Spanish driver Jaime Alguersuari, however, admitted: "That’s the first I’ve heard of it. I am eating normally, as I would at home or in Australia."

Due to the radiation threat, the Toro Rosso driver admitted that teams will have to make very special precautions for the Japanese grand prix in October.