They said what? The quotes of the year

From waitress Jamiee Grubb's cheeky plea for forgiveness to sex in the middle of a football pitch: the best sayings of 2009

Schumacher is putting his reputation on the line

The 41-year-old is determined to prove that even drivers in their forties can take on the best and win, says Edward Gorman

Schumacher will rise to challenge, says Edward Gorman

The Times Formula One Correspondent on the seven-time world champion's return to F1. He talks to Tim Meston

It's great to have him back, says Hamilton

The 2008 world champion is relishing the prospect of going head-to-head on the track with his hero next season

Now it's time to get serious, says Schumacher

German has signed a multimillion-pound deal to line up on the grid alongside Lewis Hamilton and Jenson Button in 2010

Schumacher 'signs to race for Mercedes'

Seven-times world champion agrees one-year deal to return to Formula One racing with Mercedes GP for 2010 season

Sport in brief: Young wins thriller

Sir Chris Hoy’s focus on gold | Ferrari think big | Female ski jumpers lose battle | Heineken Cup games | Challenger’s query

Schumacher sticks neck out for Mercedes

The German said to have had no recurrence of his injury and aims to add to his seven world titles on likely return next year

Ferrari president confirms Schumacher’s return

The seven-time world champion is on the verge of a comeback in Formula 1 with Mercedes, Luca Di Montezemolo has revealed

Alonso told he must be team player at Ferrari

Luca Di Montezemolo, the Ferrari president, has told the Spanish double world champion he cannot race solely for himself

The decade’s top five sporting moments

It was the decade of Zidane's head-butt, Jonny’s dropped goal and that Beckham free kick – but it was Usain Bolt who sprinted clear

Decade’s top 100 sporting moments: Nos 20-6

Part five features a head-butt from Zinédine Zidane, Arsenal’s "Invincibles" and Gary Pratt running out Ricky Ponting

Sport in brief: White granted wild card

Oxford frozen out | Kamui Kobayashi for Sauber | Chris Gayle wreaks havoc | Nigel Edwards appointed

Kobayashi signs for Sauber

The Japanese driver is spared a return to working in his father's sushi restaurant after landing a drive with Sauber for next year

Decade’s top 100 sporting moments: Nos 40-21

Part four of The Times’s countdown includes tears, blood and other bodily fluids among the triumphs and disasters

Kubica's future in doubt after Renault deal

Renault bucked the recession-led trend by announcing they are to continue in Formula One, but it's bad news for their driver

Renault F1 team bought by private investor

French manufacturer confirm they will be on the grid next season after a deal is reached to sell 75 per cent of their team

The decade’s top 100 sporting moments: Nos 60-41

Part three of our countdown, including the final act of an Ashes folk hero and humiliating exits for two England football managers

Schumacher close to deal with Mercedes

Renault to reveal details of their future today and Richard Branson tries brand new approach with Virgin Racing