LEWIS HAMILTON is examining all his options as the fallout from the Australian Grand Prix Liargate scandal continues.

Murmurings in the paddock suggest Hamilton and his manager father Anthony are fuming after the world champion was embroiled in the row after lying to race stewards.

McLaren have been summoned to appear at the FIA's World Motorsport Council in two weeks to face charges of breaching the International Sporting Code - where both driver and team could be suspended or even excluded from the championship.

If McLaren are axed from the grid, Hamilton could be in line for a move to table-topping Brawn GP to replace veteran Rubens Barrichello and make an all-British dream team alongside Jenson Button.

But race legend Sir Jackie Stewart has warned team boss Ross Brawn to stick with the Brazilian, rather than call on Hamilton.

He said: "Rubens is very experienced in the setting up of the car, Lewis is not, and Ross needs that knowledge right now because of the ban on in-season testing."

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TOMMO TOURS AGAIN

RACING nomad James Thompson has finally landed a British Touring Cars Championship drive.

Thompson, who was left without a drive after his world touring cars team N.Technology quit last season, will replace Team Dynamics Gordon Shedden from the next round at Thruxton.

The Briton has warned fans he is a bit rusty in a race car and that they shouldn't expect too much from him in the first couple of races.

He said: "There's no way, though, that I'm just going to jump in the car and win three races. I haven't raced since November last year and, even though I know the Civic has great potential having tested it during the winter, it will take time and mileage.

"I think the crowds appreciate the big names and hopefully I can put on a show, I certainly want to be competitive and in there mixing it with everybody. Thruxton maybe makes it a bit more difficult. It's the most difficult track we come across in terms of speed."

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NOT SO FAB

REIGNING champion Fabrizio Giovanardi is on the hunt for a job after Vauxhall announced they are quitting the British Touring Cars Championship at the end of the season.

Triple Eight Engineering, who run the Vauxhall squad, blames the credit crunch and the lack of competitive manufacturers for the decision.

Vauxhall's Andy Gibson said: "The company has enjoyed immense success with BTCC, both on track and as a focal marketing activity. I would like to think we can end our run in touring cars with another title-winning season."

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CHINESE TAKEAWAY

BRITISH fans who want to see the annual end-of-season jamboree The Race of Champions will have a long journey this year - it's moving to China!

The 2009 event will be held at the Olympics Bird's Nest Stadium in Beijing two days after the last Formula One race of the season in Abu Dhabi in November.

The event, which sees stars like Michael Schumacher, David Coulthard and Andy Priaulx race each other in a variety of cars, is moving out of Europe for the first time in 20 years.

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