Michael Schumacher was named the World Sportsman of the year at the prestigious Laureus World Sports Awards in Monte Carlo last Tuesday evening.

The German was recognised for his outstanding season in 2001 when he scored nine victories, reached and surpassed the all-time win record of 51 set by Alain Prost and scored his fourth drivers’ title.

He beat Tiger Woods to the award, the Champion golfer who had won the award in 2000 and 2001, and other strong contenders Lance Armstrong, the brilliant cyclist who has won the past three Tour de France races, Gold medal sprinter Maurice Greene and swimming gold medallist Ian Thorpe.

The award came just days after the highly controversial Austrian Grand Prix, when Schumacher was gifted victory by team-mate Rubens Barrichello on the home straight.

BMW-Williams star Juan-Pablo Montoya meanwhile won the Laureus Newcomer of the Year award for his excellent first season in F1 last year.