Germany win Race of Champions

[Rory Phoulorie]

Sunday 16th December 2007

Michael Schumacher again stood on the top step of the podium as Germany won at Wembley in the Race of Champions Nations Cup.

Seven-times Formula One world champion Schumacher was partnered by current Toro Rosso driver Sebastian Vettel as Germany beat Finland in the final in the end-of-year spectacular.

For the first time since the inaugural event in 1988, the once-a-year showpiece was being staged at the new Wembley, with a 50,000 crowd on hand to watch the event

The world's best drivers from various disciplines were in competition against one another on a giant 'Scalextric' track built inside the stadium.

Germany even beat England in the semi-final - a familiar outcome - en route to their win, with Jenson Button and three-times World Touring Car Champion Andy Priaulx losing out to Schumacher and Vettel.

The 37-year-old Schumacher did suffer the embarrassment of stalling in his final heat against new McLaren driver Heikki Kovalainen.

That left Vettel with it all to do, but the 20-year-old proceeded to beat World Rally runner-up Markus Gronholm in his heat before then defeating Kovalainen in the race-off.

As a German, Schumacher was naturally delighted to win at Wembley as he said: "There were no balls or goals, so it was a little bit easier for us.

"At least against England it was straightforward!"

Vettel even surprised himself with how well he had performed, conceding: "I didn't expect that.

"I had a strong team-mate at the beginning as it took me some time to get started, but then after that it was excellent.

"We had the draw against England in the semi-final, and for the crowd it was spectacular."

Following that semi loss, Priaulx joked: "It wasn't just me who lost. JB (Button) did as well.

"Who invited them (Germany) in the first place? That's what I want to know. But it was good fun.

"It's a great event, a real good spectacle. Wembley showcasing racing cars is just awesome."

Planet-F1

[Plex]

Was watching some highlights of this and was pretty cool..