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Michael Schumacher has been named World Sportsman of the Year at a ceremony billed as the sporting 'Oscars'.

The Formula One world champion claimed the title at the Laureus World Sports Awards in Monte Carlo.

He beat golfer Tiger Woods - winner for the past two years - cyclist Lance Armstrong, sprinter Maurice Greene and swimmer Ian Thorpe to the prize.

Schumacher had been at the centre of controversy on Sunday when Ferrari team-mate Rubens Barrichello was ordered to hand him victory in the Austrian grand prix.

Shane Warne was part of the Team of the Year

But the German was honoured for a dominant 2001 season which brought him nine race wins and a fourth drivers title.

French and Australian Open tennis champion Jennifer Capriati won the Sportswoman of the Year title.

She beat rival Venus Williams, record-breaking pole vaulter Stacy Dragila, Dutch swimmer Inge de Bruijn and Swedish golfer Annika Sorenstam to pick up the award.

Australia's cricketers, who stretched their world record winning streak in Test matches to 16 last year, were named World Team of the Year.

Wimbledon tennis champion Goran Ivanisevic won the Comeback of the Year award.

Schumacher's rival Juan Pablo Montoya was voted World Newcomer of the Year, ahead of injured England footballer Steven Gerrard and Belgian tennis star Justine Henin.

Brazilian skateboarder Bob Burnquist was named World Alternative Sportsperson of the Year.

Wheelchair tennis player Esther Vergeer was chosen as World Sportsperson of the Year with a Disability.

And New Zealand yachting legend Sir Peter Blake, who was murdered by pirates in the Amazon last year, was posthumously awarded the Laureus Lifetime Achievement Award and the Laureus Sport for Good Award.