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Australian Grand Prix

Australian Grand Prix

Australian Grand Prix

Australian Grand Prix

Australian Grand Prix

Australian Grand Prix

Australian Grand Prix

Button smiling again with Brawn on board Like 12 months ago, he is still likely to pilot an uncompetitive Honda at Albert Park, but Jenson Button claims he will do so with a bigger smile on his face in 2008. The 28-year-old Briton told reporters on a Melbourne beach that the arrival of new team boss Ross Brawn has wiped away the despair of driving for a team that got itself into the mess of dealing with its abysmal 2007 car. Brawn arrives fresh from a sabbatical but renowned in the paddock as the technical architect of the ultra-successful Michael Schumacher period at Ferrari. And Button is quoted as saying by the Daily Mail: "Six or 12 months ago I wasn't amazingly happy." He praises Honda for realising that it needed to look outside the team for the solution to its receding performance. "I couldn't be happier at the moment. I might be in a car that won't win points for a few races but I really couldn't be in a better position for the future," Button added. "Before Ross came, I wasn't that excited that we could turn things round, but now I am."

Maldini Again Admits He May Continue Playing Milan captain Paolo Maldini has admitted again that he is considering postponing his retirement at the end of the season. Retirement Plans The 39-year-old had announced several months ago that he would be finally hanging up his boots, following a glittering career spanning almost a quarter-of-a-century. However last week Maldini dropped a bombshell by revealing that he was having second thoughts, and the defender has again stated today that he is still mulling over the idea. “I am leaving every door open regarding my future,” Maldini told Milan Channel. “I was convinced before that I wanted to quit at the end of the season, but lately I have received lots of praise and my physical condition is better than it was at this point of the season last year.” Roma Maldini also looked ahead to this weekend’s big clash with Roma at the Stadio Olimpico. The Rossoneri are facing arguably the most in-form side in Serie A at the moment. “We are expecting a real struggle against the Giallorossi,” the legend conceded. “They play the best football in Italy and have managed to find some consistency, even after a few delicate moments recently. “They progressed in the Champions League where we didn’t and showed that they have a stronger character than Real Madrid. “We will be up against a strong unit with big players such as Francesco Totti, Mirko Vucinic and Amantino Mancini and we will need to chase everything down.” Poor Condition Finally Maldini echoed the sentiments of a number of Milan players, who have been complaining of tiredness following a very heavy schedule in January and February. “We aren’t in top condition,” he conceded. “But the trip to Yokohama [in the Club World Cup] demanded an amazing show of strength. “History tells us that teams who take part in competitions like the Club World Cup find it hard in the League. “But we just have to keep working and the win over Empoli was certainly a boost and showed that we can keep getting good results.”

Marseille gunning for Gourcuff French giants Marseille have set their sights on luring Milan benchwarmer Yoann Gourcuff this summer. Despite arriving at San Siro with the nickname “Le Petit Zidane” and being touted as a key figure for the Rossoneri’s future, Gourcuff has struggled to show his talents in Serie A. As the 21-year-old’s frustration mounts, he has been linked with a move to Ligue 1 to jumpstart his career and it seems that Marseille would welcome the former Rennes man with open arms. “It’s true that Gourcuff is on our list,” sporting director José Anigo admitted on Radio RTL. While it had been suggested that Gourcuff was being lined up as a replacement for talented midfielder Samir Nasri, who is a summer target for Inter, it seems that the two men may form a mouth-watering duo. “I am sure that Nasri will renew his contract beyond 2009,” Anigo insisted. “We can’t be certain that he will be here next season, but it would be better for him and us if he stayed for another season or two.” Since arriving at Milan in the summer of 2006, Gourcuff has made just 34 appearances and nine of his 13 outings this term have been as a substitute.

Pato Delighted With Life At Milan Teenage sensation Alexandre Pato has spoken of his happiness with life at Milan. The Brazilian joined the Rossoneri last summer from Internacional, and has made a sensational start to his Serie A career, scoring six goals in 10 games since making his debut in January. “I chose Milan because they are a great team and everybody told me that I couldn’t choose a better club,” Pato explained. “This side is like a family. There are lots of Brazilians here and so many people to keep me calm. “Marcos Cafu is always around me and talking to me and is a reference point for any Brazilian who arrives at Milan. “My compatriots are great examples for me from Ronaldo to Emerson and Kaka to Serginho – they have won so much and I admire them lots. “Personally, I still have lots of things to improve, including my Italian, which I am studying hard every day,” he continued. Pato’s fine form has seen him rewarded with a call-up to the Brazil national team for their friendly against Sweden at the Emirates Stadium in London on March 26. “I am Brazilian and it’s very important to me to wear the Selecao jersey. I am very happy to be picked and also delighted that Kaka will be there,” Pato concluded.

Sergio Ramos: I Want To Be The Next Maldini While visiting inmates at the Alcala-Meco prison in Madrid, Sergio Ramos offered his thoughts on the Real Madrid side of past and present, as well as his own aims as a player... The Real Madrid defender declared to Marca that he was "proud" to be comapred to Maldini. "I feel encouraged to work hard every day even to be considered a little bit like him," he said to the assembled prisoners. "My contract? I'm very happy at Madrid. I have six years left and I have no intention of leaving." When asked about his potential signing for AC Milan, he stated that he'd "heard nothing" about it, but gave more concrete information over a possible return to Sevilla. "One always thinks of going home, but Madrid have given me everything," he said. Teammates In praise of current captain Raul, he said, "He has for many years been one of the best in the world. "David Beckham? He was number one at hitting the ball, and a great friend, too. Roberto Carlos is great as a footballer and a person." Inevitably, talk turned towards the Liga title. "It's a mistake to think that we're already champions when there are so many matches left," he warned. "Getafe? It's great to see that not only the big clubs do well in Europe." Inmates And then came the really important stuff. Being quizzed on his appearance, he staked something of a wager with one of the inmates. "If things go well, after Euro 2008, I'll cut my hair," He said. And, in words of encouragement, he concluded, "With great effort and sacrifice, we must all try to achieve our dreams."

Australian Grand Prix

Australian Grand Prix

Australian Grand Prix

Australian Grand Prix

Australian Grand Prix

Australian Grand Prix

RONALDO AT MILANELLO