Grapevine: Button Rules Out Kart Win for Schumacher

Benetton driver Jenson Button believes German Michael Schumacher will not be able to take victory in this weekend's final round of the world karting championship.

Schumacher has entered the event, on his home track at Kerpen-Mannheim, as a personal challenge, but Button believes that, for once, the four-time Formula One champion will not succeed.

"He will find it difficult and if he doesn't win I won't be surprised," said Button. "I think it is great that Michael is doing the last round of the world kart championship - but he is going to find it really tough."

But Schumacher, who was practicing on Friday at the circuit, is defiant. Desperate to compete on an even field, the German has been in training to shed pounds before the event. In a no-win situation, Schumacher is expected to use home circuit advantage to rise to the top step of the podium.

"I am aware that the guys who I will be racing drive every day," said Schumacher. "I drive maybe only three times a year, but that entices me even more. This is a real challenge to me. Formula One is of course the ultimate challenge, but driving a kart has always been something special to me.

"Those wheel-to-wheel duels, that kind of combat. Some people might find that hard to understand, but I have long wanted to take part again in an international race on a high level."