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Snapshot: Schumacher's F1 comeback - how far can it go? (part II)

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So, it’s official: Formula 1 great Michael Schumacher, 40, is to return in 2010, for Mercedes GP, after an earlier comeback for Ferrari was ruled out due to an iffy neck. The timing makes for the perfect Christmas present for many an F1 fan while giving would-be rivals plenty to think about over the festive period. Will the seven-time world champion be able to reclaim the drivers’ title in the season ahead? In this correspondent’s humble opinion: no. But that need not detract from the German’s considerable prior achievements. Even if it won’t be the dominance of old, Schumi version II is still likely to be able to score a win or two, thwarting the ambitions of lesser F1 mortals every so often of a Sunday afternoon. The bottom line is that the stars are aligning in such a way that 2010 is shaping up to be an absolute cracker of a season. Stay tuned.

Snapshot: Tiger Woods - not the only golfer in the world

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Tiger Woods announced, in view of his recent personal difficulties, that he would be taking an “indefinite break” from golf. This is big news for the world of sport and the culmination of a sad episode. But should you be hearing reaction along the lines of “this is a serious blow to the game of golf”, feel free as far as this author is concerned to dismiss it as a fallacy. Yes, he is significant commercially, but golf does not need Tiger Woods. This is not to pass judgement on him, and it is to be hoped that he can get things back on track. The fact is that there have been golf tournaments without Woods before and there will be again. No one player is bigger than his/her sport – and it will ever be thus.

Snapshot: Theron et al set for World Cup draw

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The draw for the 2010 World Cup is upon us: FIFA today unveiled the procedure for the big event on Friday, 4 December in Cape Town, which sees Brazil, Spain, the Netherlands, Italy, Germany, Argentina and England named as seeds alongside hosts South Africa. It was earlier announced that actress Charlize Theron (pictured) would be guest presenter for the extravaganza, assisting FIFA Secretary General Jérôme Valcke who would "marshal" the draw. A host of sporting celebrities and other dignitaries will be present, with Nelson Mandela due to address the audience by video message. It is said that more than 200 million people are expected to tune in. Look out for reaction to the draw (the football, rather than the glitz) on quantumofsport.