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General Sports News

Formula One thrown into chaos

Author: Craig Williams
Date: 20/06/2009

Formula One has been thrown into total chaos following a threat from eight teams to set up a rival championship.

Brawn GP, Ferrari, McLaren, Renault, Toyota, BMW Sauber, Red Bull Racing and Toro Rosso - all part of the Formula One Teams' Association (FOTA) - have dropped the bombshell announcement on the eve of the British Grand Prix.

The eight leading teams could all now compete in a breakaway championship for the 2010 season following an escalation of FOTA's row with motorsport's ruling body, the FIA.

The two parties have been at loggerheads since the turn of the year over a planned £40million budget cap on teams for next season.

On the track, Sebastian Vettel was quickest during first practice for the British Grand Prix.

He finished marginally ahead of Red Bull team-mate Mark Webber, with the Brawn GP duo of Jenson Button Rubens Barrichello third and fourth.

World champion Lewis Hamilton posted the eighth fastest time in his McLaren.

Can Lewis Hamilton upset the form book at the British GP? - Latest Formula 1 Betting

In football, Chelsea have joined the race to sign Glen Johnson after tabling an £18million offer for the Portsmouth and England defender.

The 24-year-old right-back was believed to be close to joining Liverpool after they made their interest known at the beginning of the week.

But Pompey executive chairman Peter Storrie has now revealed that Chelsea have also made an offer for a player they sold for just £4million two years ago.

Liverpool striker Fernando Torres has categorically ruled out leaving Anfield after insisting he will win important trophies with the club.

The Spain striker was linked with a surprise move to the Reds' bitter rivals Manchester United last week, while Barcelona are also reported to be potential suitors.

But the 25-year-old hot-shot claims he has absolutely no intention of leaving Liverpool just weeks after pledging his future to the club by signing a new long-term contract.

Meanwhile, former Liverpool chairman David Moores has resigned from the board of directors at Anfield.

Moores, who took the role of chairman in 1991, was handed a place on the board after selling the club to American duo George Gillett and Tom Hicks two years ago.

Moores stepped aside as he identified that the club required further investment but has not always seen eye-to-eye with Hicks and Gillett.

South Africa's Bryan Habana and Springboks assistant coach Gary Gold have issued statements of intent ahead of Saturday's first Test with the British & Irish Lions.

Habana has warned the British & Irish tourists that the Springboks of 2009 are even stronger than the team that won the World Cup in France two years ago.

Habana, the 2007 World player of the year and star of the side which lifted the Webb Ellis trophy in Paris, paid tribute to his fellow teammates, describing an 'unbelievable togetherness' in the Springboks camp.

South Africa have been made marginal favourites to win the first Test in the online betting markets.

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