Autoblog

The Race of Champions is scheduled to return to its new home at London's Wembley Stadium on December 14th. For those unfamiliar, the annual event pits a host of the best racing drivers in the world against each other on carefully-calibrated equal terms. The event is split between the solo competition and the nations' cup, the latter in which countries send their two best drivers to claim the honors for their homeland.

Last year's event saw DTM champion Mattias Ekstrom defeat Schumacher in the final rounds, after the two (pictured at right) made minced meat out of the rest of the field in a variety of vehicles including the Aston Martin V8 Vantage N24, Ford Focus RS WRC, Fiat Grande Punto S2000 Abarth, an Opel/Vauxhall-based Solution F touring car and a purpose-built sprint car. This year retired seven-time F1 champion Michael Schumacher is set to return, teaming up with rookie driver Sebastian Vettel again for Team Germany. So far only Schumacher and Vettel have confirmed their participation for 2008 – last year Travis Pastrana valiantly held down the fort for Team USA on his own – but more are sure to join as the date approaches. Stay tuned.

Gallery: 2007 Race of Champions

[Source: Auto Express]

Michael Schumacher's credentials run the gamut: 1995's youngest double Formula 1 World Champion, most career wins, most wins in a season, most consecutive wins, etc. Now he can add a notch on his belt representing his role as test driver for Ferrari... or at least for a day.

Autocar spies caught a rare sight the other day -- a Ferrari 599 GTB on the Nurburgring rather than its test track in Fiorano. After witnessing some pretty serious hot rodding, the photographers zoomed in on the driver... only to see one Michael Schumacher at the wheel. Future profession for Schumi, or entertaining day trip? Hopefully we'll find out soon. High-res photo available here

Thanks for the tip, Wang Meng!

[Source: AutoCar]

Did you like the last Shell Schumi ads we brought you? The commercials hit the German airwaves after the seven-time world champ retired, and we brought you episodes 1 & 3. Now, episode 2 has found its way onto the net, thanks to the same intrepid German fan.

This one features Michael standing like a cut-out of himself in the store at a Shell station, patiently holding his ground while the retail muzak plays. Well worth watching just to see how many Deutsche motorists do a double-take. Would you believe your eyes if you saw Schumacher standing in the corner of your local gas-n'-go?

Between jaunts to his private isle and the possiblity of a test driving gig, it's an apt question. However, Shell seems to have the answer... or an answer anyway. Plus, it's an entertaining one at that.

In what appears to be a series of ads for German television, seven-time world champion Michael Schumacher greets surprised customers at a local gas station. Now I don't remember getting that kind of service the last time I filled up at the Shell station.

Liked the first one? Follow the jump to watch another!

[Source: Car Magazine]