Motorsport: F1 king lauded by French newspaper

Ferrari's Michael Schumacher, who won his fourth Formula One world title in a record-breaking year, was yesterday named L'Equipe's sportsman of 2001.

The German retained his Formula One crown with nine wins and a record points tally, but the French newspaper's award was far closer than the grand prix season - just one point separating Schumacher and Australian swimmer Ian Thorpe.

Schumacher scored 196 points to 195 for Thorpe, who won six gold medals and set world records in the 200m, 400m and 800m freestyle events at the world championships in Fukuoka in Japan.

Italian 500cc motorcyling world champion Valentino Rossi was third with 102 points, ahead of Moroccan middle-distance runner Hicham El Guerrouj (90 points).