Grapevine: Alonso nominated for Laureus award

His Renault team were also nominated for the World Team of the Year award of the prestigious "sporting Oscars".

Alonso became the youngest world champion in history last year, while the French squad took the constructors' title.

"He (Alonso) is an exceptional driver," said former world champion and Laureus Academy member Emerson Fittipaldi, who held the record until Alonso clinched the title at the age of 24.

"My record was going to be broken one day and I am delighted that it is a real racer like Alonso who has done it. If he can continue finding a car to drive as competitive as the one he is in now, then he can continue winning World Championships."

Seven-time Tour de France winner Lance Armstrong, tennis player Roger Federer, golfer Tiger Woods, and MotoGP champion Valentino Rossi will fight for the award against Alonso.

Football clubs FC Barcelona and Liverpool, the winning Croatia Davis Cup team, the New Zealand rugby team and NBA's San Antonio Spurs have all been nominated as Team of the Year alongside Renault.

"Everybody in the Renault team is very proud to have been nominated for 'World Team of the Year' in the Laureus awards," said Renault boss Flavio Briatore. "At Renault, we know that there is not one person that makes a team do well, or do badly. Every team has a heart, which means its people working together towards a shared goal.

"We are very proud of our team spirit, and I am delighted for every person in this team, that they have received this recognition of their contribution."

The winners will be announced in Barcelona on 22 May.