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ROC at Wembley

Michael Schumacher geared up for racing return

With exactly one month to go until the world’s best drivers descend on London’s Wembley Stadium for The Race of Champions, Michael Schumacher has been warming up for his return to racing.

Schumacher in 2004 after beating Loeb in a one-off challenge
Schumacher in 2004 after beating Loeb in a one-off challenge

The seven-time Formula One champion has revisited former team Ferrari in a testing role, setting the fastest time on both days in Barcelona earlier this week despite being away from the sport for one year.

When asked whether the absence would affect his performance in The Race of Champions, where he will compete against fellow motorsport champions including World Rally leader Marcus Grönholm, four-time Champ Car Champion Sébastien Bourdais and double World Touring Car Champion Andy Priaulx, the racing legend was circumspect.

“Well, of course I hope not!” said Schumacher, who will partner F1 newcomer Sebastian Vettel for Team Germany in the ROC Nations Cup. “It might have even heightened my motivation to drive, as I have seen when testing the F1 for Ferrari. On the other hand you never know; it is clear that practice helps a lot.”

Now the German superstar is looking forward to testing his metal again against the best in the world at Wembley Stadium next month, when the hallowed turf will be transformed into a tarmac race track to facilitate this champion of champions decider.

“I can tell you that I had never in my life a bad feeling getting behind the wheel of a car,” he said, who does says he has no nerves about his competitive return. “No, serious again, I look forward to finally get out there. The Race of Champions is just a great event.”

Schumacher competed in The Race of Champions 2004 at the Stade de France in Paris. He reached the semi-finals before being knocked out by Heikki Kovalainen, who now drives for Renault F1.

Editors’ Notes

Copyright-free hi-res photos are available to download at www.raceofchampions.com or by calling Andy Bothwell or Paul Rayner at Performance PR on +44 (0)208 5413434. Alternatively you can E-mail andyb@performancepr.com or paul@performancepr.com.

The Race of Champions was started in 1988 by Fredrik Johnsson and Michèle Mouton, the world’s most successful female rally driver.

The Race Of Champions event on December 14 will be made up of two separate competitions – The ROC Nations Cup and The Race of Champions.

Each competition pits drivers against each other in a head-to-head knockout format, with equal equipment ensuring races are won and lost on talent alone.

The ROC Nations Cup features drivers paired into teams based on their nationality. The teams then fight head-to-head against each other in knockout competition. Last year Team Germany (Michael Schumacher and Sebastian Vettel) beat Team Finland (Marcus Grönholm and Heikki Kovalainen) in the final.

The Race Of Champions is a straightforward knockout competition, where 16 drivers go head-to-head until the champion is decided. In last year’s Final, Mattias Ekström beat Michael Schumacher in the third race of a best-of-three battle.

Already confirmed for The Race of Champions 2008 are:

  • Seven-times F1 World Champion Michael Schumacher (Team Germany)
  • Triple World Touring Car Champion Andy Priaulx (Team Autosport Great Britain)
  • Honda Racing F1 Team race winner Jenson Button (Team Autosport Great Britain)
  • Toro Rosso F1 racer Sebastian Vettel (Team Germany)

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