Schumacher thrilled despite losing

The seven-time Formula One world champion lost to DTM champion Mattias Ekstrom in the final, having beaten Jenson Button and Sebastien Bourdais en route to the final.

And although he was clearly focused on winning, having prompted a late swap of cars before the tie-breaker, Schumacher said he had thoroughly enjoyed his weekend.

"It has been truly a pleasure," he said. "I have mentioned several times that (race organisers) Fredrik (Johnsson) and Michele (Mouton) have done this event for many years, I've done it twice, and two times it has been a big pleasure.

"It brings me great joy and it has been like that all weekend."

Schumacher was the most dominant driver in the ROC buggies, beating Ekstrom in the second round of the final, but appeared to struggle in the Solution F touring cars that were used for the other two final heats.

Speaking afterwards, Schumacher admitted that he was not surprised to have lost out in the touring cars.

"There is something that I need to see my wheels," he said. "If I don't see my wheels...I have been very bad in saloon cars in the past so I am not surprised."

But he said he did take great satisfaction from knocking English rival Jenson Button out for the second time today during the Race of Champions individual event.

"I feel no guilt about putting England out at Wembley twice in one day," he smiled.