Brazilian veteran Rubens Barrichello Thursday said he is ‘talking to the whole paddock’ about extending his Formula One racing career, already the longest in the sport’s history.

While seven-times champion German Michael Schumacher, 42, may be the oldest driver in the field, Barrichello, 39, has started the most races in an unbroken career that began with Jordan at the South African Grand Prix in 1993.

Manchester United striker Javier Hernandez has agreed a new five-year contract with the English champions, the player's agent was quoted by several newspapers as saying here Thursday.

The Mexican international has been rewarded with a long-term deal at the Premier League giants after a dazzling first season at the club which saw him finish with 20 goals in all competitions.

Britain's Lewis Hamilton Thursday apologized to Felipe Massa for their latest collision and insisted he still had "respect" for the Brazilian despite a series of heated incidents.

Speaking before the Korean Grand Prix, the 26-year-old McLaren driver said he failed to see Massa's Ferrari in his mirrors at Suzuka last weekend, in an incident where the furious Brazilian lost part of his front wing.

Big-serving Jo-Wilfried Tsonga crashed out of the Shanghai Masters on Wednesday, beaten by Japan's Kei Nishikori 7-6 (7/1), 4-6, 4-6 but third seed David Ferrer eased through to the third round.

Tsonga, the fourth seed, appeared to be on his way to a straightforward win when he stepped up the intensity of his game to seal the first set tie-break with the loss of just one point.

Portugal, Croatia, the Republic of Ireland and the Czech Republic will be seeded for Thursday's draw for the Euro 2012 play-offs, UEFA said on Wednesday.

UEFA selected the four seeds based on their current ranking coefficients for matches that will pit them against the other four survivors -- Turkey, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Montenegro and Estonia -- in the draw in Krakow.

Euro 2012 will not be a cakewalk for holders Spain and in-form Germany, German coach Joachim Loew said on Wednesday, insisting other nations such as France had to be considered.

"It's not certain this match (a Germany versus Spain showdown) will happen at this tournament -- even if everyone is talking about this duel," Loew told reporters who asked him to compare his side's chances with those of the defending European and world champions.

The euphoria of Argentina's opening World Cup qualifying win over Chile vanished at a stroke on Tuesday as the two-time world champions slumped to an historic 1-0 loss to Venezuela.

Fernando Amorebieta bagged the only goal to stun Alejandro Sabella's side and send them back to square one, just when it seemed Friday's 4-1 thrashing of Chile had exorcised demons of a summer Copa America failure on home soil.

Serena Williams could get a chance of revenge against Samantha Stosur on the Australian's home soil after announcing she will start her 2012 season at the Brisbane International.

Queenslander Stosur, who will also play the tournament, won her first Grand Slam in September by beating a fiery Williams 6-2, 6-3 in the U.S. Open final.

Furious Italy star Antonio Cassano blasted his detractors and vowed Tuesday to retire following the next World Cup.

The AC Milan forward scored a brace in the 3-0 Euro 2012 Group C qualifying victory against Northern Ireland but then dropped a bombshell about his future.

Denmark, France and Russia booked their places at Euro 2012 while Portugal were consigned to the play-offs after a tense conclusion to qualifying on Tuesday.

Greece, surprise champions in 2004, joined that trio as winners of their respective groups with Sweden also sealing their passage as best runners-up in Group E with a shock 3-2 win over already qualified Holland in Stockholm.