Hamburg - Kimi Raikkonen dismissed speculation Thursday that he is in talks with Mercedes GP about driving for Formula One's newest team next season.

Mercedes took over Brawn GP earlier this month but the Finn, who had been in talks with McLaren about a possible drive with the British-based team in 2010, now seems certain to take a year out probably to compete in rallying.

Johannesburg, Nov. 19 : A playful lion cub kept both Matt Prior and Kevin Pietersen on their toes as England''s cricketers visited the Johannesburg Lion Park on a day off ahead of Thursday’s first one-day international

The England team were told to expect some serious mind games this winter by South African coach Mickey Arthur.

Arthur has already launched an assault on England''s "predictable" tactics.

London, Nov. 18 : Spanish midfielder Xabi Alonso has told Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard that the club must get used to do without him.

Gerrard had branded midfielder Alonso, 27, as one of the world''s best players.

He added that Alonso’s 28.8-million-pound switch to Real Madrid left him gutted as he is now isolated on the pitch.

But Alonso said: "I want to thank Stevie for his kind words but life goes on.

London, Nov. 18 : A Brawn GP official has said that current Formula One champion Jenson Button’s future as a race car driver would be best served if he remained with it, but the latter has in all probability decided to sign up with McLaren.

Ross Brawn broke his silence yesterday to cast doubt on reports that Button is poised to join McLaren next season.

London, Nov. 17 : After becoming the official owner of the Brawn GP, Mercedes has ruled out increasing its offer for reigning F1 champion Jenson Button to remain at Brackley.

Following that, Button reportedly reached an 18 million-pound three-year deal to join his predecessor as world champion, Lewis Hamilton, at McLaren.

On Monday, the German manufacturer ended months of speculation by announcing that it would begin the 2010 world championship with its own Silver Arrows team, which will be re-branded as ‘Mercedes Grand Prix’.

London, Nov. 17 : Two-time champion Fernando Alonso is already dreaming of winning the Formula One world title with Ferrari.

Alonso attended Ferrari''s traditional end-of-season demonstration event in Valencia with the permission of his current employers Renault, to whom he remains under contract until January 1.

Alonso, who will replace Kimi Raikkonen next year, was quoted by The Sun as saying: "It''s the first time I can be part of the Ferrari world from the inside and enjoy the atmosphere. I''m impressed and happy."

Nuerburgring, Germany - The niche German sports car maker Vermot AG is reviving the magic of Germany's first Formula 1 car with the Veritas RS III hitting the road in January next year with a limited run of 30 units.

The first five models have already been sold to owners in Monaco, Britain, Spain, Switzerland, Britain and Australia. The super car is listed at a price of 300,000 euros (451,000 dollars), that is without the customised extras.

Hamburg - Michael Schumacher's first Formula One world championship-winning car is up for auction at internet sellers ebay, with the 1-million dollar mark passed on Tuesday.

The Benetton B174 was driven by Schumacher in 1994 when he won the first of a record seven world titles. The seller said it has undergone a complete overhaul and is "in racing condition."

According to the auction page, there were 51 bids by 1030 GMT Tuesday with the highest bid at the time at 711,050 euros (1.063 million dollars). The auction runs until November 16.

Hamburg - Michael Schumacher's first Formula One world championship-winning car is up for auction at internet sellers ebay, with the 1-million dollar mark passed on Tuesday.

The Benetton B174 was driven by Schumacher in 1994 when he won the first of a record seven world titles. The seller said it has undergone a complete overhaul and is "in racing condition."

According to the auction page, there were 51 bids by 1030 GMT Tuesday with the highest bid at the time at 711,050 euros (1.063 million dollars). The auction runs until November 16.

London, Nov 9 : Formula One racing driver Lewis Hamilton has told current world champion Jenson Button that his McLaren team would be a lot tougher to beat next season.

Hamilton also said that the disappointing season, which took him close to quitting over Liargate, has taught him a lot about himself and his team.

"We''ve been through a lot together and we know each other a lot better," The Mirror quoted Hamilton, as saying.

Barcelona, Nov 2 : India's Armaan Ebrahim ended his campaign in the inaugural FIA Formula 2 Championship on a high as he came in 12th and 10th in the Sunday's final round of the series at the Circuit de Catalunya.

Fresh of an impressive debut outing the previous weekend with the VW India team at in the German Formula 3 Championship, Armaan was second fastest overall in the second practice session Friday trailing only Philipp Eng by a whisker.    

Abu Dhabi - Rubens Barrichello and Nico Huelkenberg will be the Williams driver pairing in 2010, the British Formula One team confirmed Monday.

The Brazilian Barrichello moves from Brawn GP after finishing third in the overall drivers' standings this season while Germany's Huelkenberg makes the step up from the GP2 Series which he won this year in his rookie season.

London, Nov 2 : Formula One champion Jenson Button has hinted that he may be staying back with the Brawn Team for the 2010 season.

Button was earlier linked with a move to McLaren, who have already made it clear that they would be delighted with his acquisition. But, Button has said that he is expecting an unprecedented battle for the championship next year with McLaren and Ferrari returning to the mix.

London, Nov 2 : Formula One champion Jenson Button forced BBC commentators into an apology after a live F-word outburst.

Button was winding down with Abu Dhabi winner Sebastien Vettel and runner-up Mark Webber.

But with the cameras rolling, Button said to Aussie Webber: "I went to the outside cos you were blocking inside. I thought `f***, I should have waited'."

Commentator Jonathan Legard said: "Over-excited Jenson Button. Apologies," The Sun reports. (ANI)

Vijay Mallya owned Force India has ended at the ninth position in the first season of the Formula One as Force India drivers Vitantonio Liuzzi and Adrian Sutil finished at 15th and 17th respectively at the final Grand Prix of the year in Abu Dhabi on Sunday.

Liuzzi ended two places above after starting the race at the 17th position while Sutil, who started at 18th place, improved one place at the Yas Marina Circuit.

Former Force India driver Giancarlo Fisichella, who had joined Ferrari, finished at 16th spot. Force India occupied ninth place in the constructors' standing with a total of 13 points.

Abu Dhabi - Lewis Hamilton of McLaren-Mercedes was quickest in the first free practice session Friday for the inaugural Abu Dhabi Grand Prix.

The 2008 world champion recorded a time of 1 minute 43.939 seconds on the new 5.554-kilometre Yas Marina Ciruit in temperatures touching 35 degrees Celsius.

Newly-crowned drivers' champion Jenson Button of Brawn GP was second fastest with a deficit of 0.096 seconds ahead of the final GP race of the season.

London, Oct. 30 : The reigning F1 world champion Jenson Button has hinted at a sensational switch to McLaren next season, after talks with Brawn GP were stalled.

"I have been approached by other teams but I can''t say who as that is confidential. But it''s not about money. No driver is paid a bad wage. We do what we do to win," The Sun quoted him, as saying.

Button is looking for a 5million pounds raise from his current 3m pounds salary.

London, Oct 29 : Former Formula One racing driver David Coulthard has warned that the new Abu Dhabi circuit’s shortened run-off areas could see ambitious racers pay for their mistakes during the final race of the season on Sunday.

London, Oct 30 : Formula One racing team McLaren has insisted that they would do everything they can to save the British Grand Prix at Donington Park.

Donington Park has a contract to stage the F1 British Grand Prix for a period of ten years from 2010, however, its future is in doubt after officials failed to find the 130 million pounds needed to redevelop the track.

Meanwhile, Silverstone is ready to continue hosting the race scheduled to be held on July 11, but have yet to agree a fee with F1 chief Bernie Ecclestone.

London, Oct. 28 : Ex-Formula One champion Lewis Hamilton wants to put his successor Jenson Button in the shade on Sunday and send out a message for the next season.

Hamilton''s sights are set on winning the season finale in Abu Dhabi in the first F1 race to start in daylight but finish under floodlights.

"We''ve had a fantastic second half of the season. It would be perfect to end the year with a win. That would send us into the winter fully motivated and pumped up for 2010,” The Sun quoted the McClaren star, as saying.