New Wembley suits Germans
Ekstrom retains 'Champion of Champions' title
Last updated: 17th December 2007
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Michael Schumacher stood on the top step of the podium once again as Germany won at Wembley in the Race of Champions' Nations Cup.
The seven-times Formula One world champion was partnered by current Toro Rosso driver Sebastian Vettel as Germany beat Finland in the final in the end-of-year spectacular.
But Schumacher came off second best in the individual knockout series, with current DTM champion Mattias Ekstrom retaining the title he won at the Stade de France last year.
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 Nations Cup 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 38-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 Marcus 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."
Schumacher beat World Rally driver Henning Solberg, Button and four-times ChampCar champion Sebastien Bourdais - who will next year partner Vettel at Toro Rosso - en route to the individual final.
Meanwhile, Ekstrom defeated Le Mans ace Tom Kristensen, X-Games star Travis Pastrana and Priaulx to clinch his final spot.
In the best-of-three showdown Ekstrom won 2-1 to reclaim the title 'Champion of Champions', despite Schumacher setting the fastest lap in one of five different cars employed throughout the event in the second heat, a dune buggy.
