Schumacher set to be model professional

Model racing brand Scalextric has pulled off a major coup ahead of the 2010 Formula One season by acquiring the rights to use seven-time world champion Michael Schumacher in its new range.

The slot car manufacturer succeeded where others have failed in the past by signing up as a sponsor of the Mercedes GP Petronas team, which itself stole a march on the rest of the F1 field by tempting Schumacher out of a three-year retirement. Team-mate Nico Rosberg will also appear as part of the Scalextric range as part of the deal.

The Hornby-owned company sponsored Mercedes predecessor Brawn GP in its triumphant 2009 campaign and has a similar agreement in place with Vodafone McLaren Mercedes, which will allow it to include the two most recent F1 world champions, Jenson Button and Lewis Hamilton, alongside Schumacher in its 2010 catalogue, which will feature a range of Mercedes GP Petronas products.