Formula nought; Q&A

Q. Who is the only Formula One driver to have become world champion without winning a grand prix in his championship year?

A. No Formula One drivers have won no grands prix in their championship year. However, there have been two cases since the world championship began in 1950 when the champion has won only one race: in 1958, Mike Hawthorn won the French Grand Prix at Rheims and in 1982 Keke Rosberg won the Swiss Grand Prix at Dijon.

The most races won by a driver in his championship year is nine. This record is shared by Nigel Mansell, who won 9 of 16 races in 1992, and Michael Schumacher, who won his nine of 17 races in 1995. - Miss L Sanderson, Oxford

ANSWERS PLEASE

Q. Tiger Woods, the American golf sensation, has won three tournaments since turning professional last year. However, I am surprised to notice that he is not in the leading 20 in the Sony world rankings. Why? How do the rankings work? - Kevin S Parrott, Sutton, Surrey

Q. In American Football, teams from the National Football Conference (NFC) have won the last 13 Super Bowls. Why is this Conference stronger than the American Football Conference (AFC)? - Richard Hack, Woking

Q. When was the last time a male British tennis player was ranked higher than the best Australian? - Tim Mickleburgh, Grimsby

If you know the answers to any of these questions or have a sporting question of your own, write to Q&A, Sports Desk, Independent on Sunday, 1 Canada Square, London E14 5DL. Fax: 0171-292 2894