Schumacher geared up for RoC

With exactly one month to go before 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. The seven-time Formula One champion has revisited former ...

With exactly one month to go before 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.

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 Gronholm, four-time Champ Car Champion Sebastien 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 national stadium 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," said Schumacher, who 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.