Motor Racing-FIA releases entry list for 2011 F1 season
Formula One’s governing body released yesterday the official entry list for the 2011 season, with only six teams having finalized their line-up. Red Bull, McLaren, Ferrari, Mercedes, Sauber and Lotus confirmed their drivers, with Sauber’s Sergio Perez Mendoza of Mexico the only newcomer. Perez Mendoza will team up with Japanese driver Kamui Kobayashi. The FIA’s list confirmed that Lotus will retain current drivers Jarno Trulli and Heikki Kovalainen. Robert Kubica’s teammate at Renault has yet to be announced after the team ended negotiations with former world champion Kimi Raikkonen. Williams, which has agreed a new deal with Rubens Barrichello, has yet to confirm its second driver after Nico Hulkenberg left the team at the end of the 2010 season. Four teams have no drivers entered for 2011: Force India, Toro Rosso, Virgin and Hispania.
Cycling-Cancellara joins new Luxembourg-based team
Time-trial world champion Fabian Cancellara has joined Tour de France runner-up Andy Schleck at the new Luxembourg pro cycling team. The Swiss rider signed a three-year contract yesterday. Team general manager Brian Nygaard described the pairing of Cancellara and Schleck as “one of the best teams in the sport.” Cancellera said he had received several offers. Cancellera was the last addition to the Luxembourg-based team, which is expected to unveil its name at an official launch on 6 January.
Golf-Manassero wins Euro PGA Rookie of the Year award
Matteo Manassero is the PGA European Tour’s Rookie of the Year after becoming the youngest player to win a tour event. The Italian finished 31st on the European money list with €890,401 following a season in which he won October’s Castello Masters at the age of 17 years and 188 days. In April, he also became the youngest amateur to compete in the Masters and the youngest player to make the cut. Manassero joins a group that includes Nick Faldo, Jose Maria Olazabal, Colin Montgomerie and Sergio Garcia in winning the award.
Football-Nicky Butt scores in trial game for Hong Kong club
Former Manchester United and Newcastle midfielder Nicky Butt scored in a trial game for Hong Kong club South China yesterday, but also missed a penalty. Butt equalized with a free kick midway through the second half, drawing rapturous applause from the crowd as he sought to impress the club’s owner. The former England international then hit the bar with a spot-kick six minutes later before his side scored in injury time to win the game against TSW Pegasus 2-1. The 35-year-old midfielder has come out of retirement to train with the club for a week, and could sign a long-term contract.
Football-Jones sent to Schalke reserve team
Schalke coach Felix Magath has sent US midfielder Jermaine Jones and two other players to the reserve team because he was unhappy with their effort and commitment. The move came three days after Schalke’s 5-0 defeat at Kaiserslautern. Schalke’s reserve side competes in a fourth-tier league. The other players sent to the reserves are Ghana defender Hans Sarpei and midfielder Alexander Baumjohann. Jones had been dropped from Schalke’s squad for one game earlier this season but returned to the starting side.
Football-Liverpool’s Carragher out for about three months
Liverpool defender Jamie Carragher needs surgery to the shoulder he dislocated in Sunday’s Premier League defeat against Tottenham and will be out of action for about three months. Liverpool said Carragher will have surgery this week. The 32-year-old Carragher was substituted with three minutes left against Spurs. With their defence weakened, Liverpool conceded an injury-time goal and lost 2-1.
Football-Barrios to miss two games for Dortmund
Bundesliga leaders Borussia Dortmund will be without leading striker Lucas Barrios for the Europa League game against Karpaty Lviv tomorrow and Sunday’s Bundesliga match against Nuremberg. Dortmund said Barrios suffered a right-knee injury in the 4-1 victory over Borussia Moenchengladbach on Saturday. Barrios has scored 13 goals in all competitions for Dortmund this season
Olympics-Rio 2016 signs up bank as first local sponsor
Brazilian bank Bradesco is the first local sponsor for the 2016 Rio Olympics. The organizing committee said the private bank will be allowed to associate its brand with the Rio Olympics beginning next year in Brazil.
The official value of the sponsorship was not announced, but the organizing committee says the minimum value in the finance and insurance services category is $320 million, which would include direct input of resources and the offer of finance, banking and insurance during the games.
Football- Desailly short-listed for Ghana head coach role
Marcel Desailly’s lack of experience won’t count against him when he is interviewed for the job of Ghana coach, the country’s football association said yesterday. The former France international and 1998 World Cup winner is one of five candidates shortlisted by the Ghana Football Association to replace Milovan Rajevac after the Serbian turned down a contract extension in September. The 42-year-old Desailly, who was born in Ghana, has never coached a major team. Ghana’s shortlist also includes another Serb, Goran Stevanovic, former Portugal, Morocco and Tunisia manager Humberto Coelho, ex-Ghana international Herbert Addo and Can Vanli, a former Turkey national team assistant and current coach of Maldives’ VB Sports Club.