LEWIS HAMILTON is ready to quit Formula 1 if Liberty Media presses ahead "with plans for a 25-race season." This year, 20 races will be held from March until November, but Liberty Media is reportedly "keen to add to the calendar." That would put a "massive strain on teams, media and drivers -- not something Hamilton is willing to accept." After hearing McLaren driver FERNANDO ALONSO threaten his resignation "should there be more races," Hamilton said,"I understand everything Fernando is saying and I tend to agree with him" (THE SUN, 6/10). ... Former Real Madrid player ROBERTO CARLOS "responded to claims he took performance-enhancing drugs, insisting he has never met the doctor cited in the doping controversy." A German documentary alleged he was "one of at least two" Brazilian footballers who took banned performance-enhancing drugs around the 2002 World Cup in Japan and South Korea, which Brazil won. He said, "I vehemently repudiate the irresponsible accusations made by [broadcaster] ARD and reaffirm that I have never pulled any stunt that would let me take advantage of my colleagues" (London DAILY MAIL, 6/11).
WAR OF WORDS: Former Formula 1 rivals FERNANDO ALONSO and RALF SCHUMACHER "have become embroiled in a war of words" over Alonso's karting facility in Oviedo, Spain. This weekend, Alonso's circuit hosted the CIK-FIA European Championship, "the most prestigious event in its short history." Schumacher's KSM team is competing, but he complained that the venue "is not up to standard and that karts were being damaged and drivers risked injury." Alonso "defended his venue." Alonso: "First of all I think Ralf needs some publicity -- he has been so many years now out of the first page, and he wants to take benefit from this" (AUTOSPORT, 6/11).
