Hamilton Invited To Join Schumacher At Wembley

Event organiser Fredrik Johnsson told a news conference on Friday that the 23-year-old McLaren driver had an open invitation.

Formula One's new world champion Lewis Hamilton has been invited to compete against Michael Schumacher at Wembley Stadium next month in the annual Race of Champions.

Event organiser Fredrik Johnsson told a news conference on Friday that the 23-year-old McLaren driver had an open invitation.

"Lewis has said that he wants to do it," he said.

"It's a question of whether the team will let him and whether it is possible with his obviously very busy schedule at the moment.

"The invitation is open. We've got a second space on Team F1 Racing Great Britain next to David Coulthard," he added.

Hamilton arrived in Formula One after Ferrari's Schumacher had retired with seven world championships and 91 race wins.

The Briton, who became the youngest champion in last weekend's Brazilian Grand Prix, has said that he regrets never having the chance to test himself against the German.

"It would certainly help me a great deal if Lewis would come along," said Coulthard. "I'd love to ride on his coat-tails and win something."

The Race of Champions, with tons of asphalt laid out over Wembley's turf to create a two-lane track, pits competitors from various branches of motorsport against each other in a range of machinery on Dec. 14.

The event, founded in 1988 by Johnsson and France's former rally driver Michele Mouton, includes a nations cup with drivers paired in teams based on nationality.

Germany, with Schumacher and Formula One driver Sebastian Vettel, won last year.

Other Formula One drivers confirmed for this year's event include Australian Mark Webber, Britain's Jenson Button and newly retired compatriot Coulthard.

Five times world rally champion Sebastien Loeb will also be competing along with Australia's triple superbike world champion Troy Bayliss, outgoing world touring car champion Andy Priaulx and Le Mans winner Tom Kristensen.