And while teammate Vettel had a tough outing towards the end, Schumacher got the better of Button and touring car champion Andy Prilaux to snatch the season-ending title from Team Great Britain.

Team Germany has clinched the trophy for the third year in a row.

“We had a nice fight – I just come back to this event to use whatever there is left of a talent. With this track, it's just a case of watching where the other guy is to know how hard to push. Of course, the racing is the highlight, but the other stuff that goes on around – that is part of the relaxed atmosphere of the Race of Champions that we all enjoy,” Michael Schumacher told the competition’s official website.

“To be out there celebrating being the first loser is never best, I don't like finishing second. It was a lot of fun – I spent most of the evening trying to hang on to my teammate's coat tails,” Jenson Button commented.