Michael Schumacher ended a controversial week on a high note on Tuesday when he was named the 2002 Laureus World Sportsman of the Year.

The German motor racing driver, who won nine grands prix on his way to last year's Formula One world title, claimed the award ahead of golfer Tiger Woods _ the winner for the past two years -- plus Tour de France cycling king Lance Armstrong, sprint ace Maurice Greene, and swimming sensation Ian Thorpe.

Schumacher has been summoned by the FIA, along with the rest of the Ferrari racing team, to appear before the World Motor Sports Council.

The decision follows Sunday's controversial finish to the Austrian Grand Prix.

The race ended in farce as Schumacher triumphed after team-mate Rubens Barrichello was denied a deserved win when ordered by team bosses to move over just metres from the chequered flag.

The embarrassed 33-year-old extended his lead in this year's drivers' championship to 27 points, allowed Barrichello to step on to the victory podium and keep the winner's trophy after benefiting from team orders for the second year running in Austria.

The FIA, the sport's world governing body, look to have responded to calls for an investigation into the result which brought almost universal condemnation from rival motor racing team bosses and left a cloud hanging over the sport.

Schumacher, who earlier today was also crowned International Sportsman of the Year by the Variety Club in London, collected his award at a star-studded ceremony in Monte Carlo.

American Jennifer Capriati, the reigning French and Australian Open tennis champion, won the Sportswoman of the Year title, finishing ahead of compatriot Venus Williams, record-breaking pole vaulter Stacy Dragila, swimming sensation Inge de Bruijn and golfer Annika Sorenstam.

Celebrities who presented tonight's awards included Michael Douglas and his wife Catherine Zeta-Jones, Heidi Klum, Michael Jordan, Ian Botham and Marion Jones.