Schu wins Massa’s kart race in Brazil

Race winner Michael Schumacher gets ready to pounce on Tony Kanaan

(GMM) Michael Schumacher has won a karting event hosted in Brazil by his former Ferrari teammate Felipe Massa.

In the southern city of Florianopolis, the retired seven time world champion started race one of the International Challenge of Go-Kart Champs – in front of a crowd of 10,000 – just fourth, but quickly moved up into second place before overtaking the leader Lucas di Grassi.

In the second race, transmitted live by the Brazilian TV station O Globo, the 38-year-old German had a few touches but fought up to sixth place after the top-eight from race one was reversed.

Renault test driver Nelson Piquet Jr had secured pole, ahead of names including Luciano Burti, Rubens Barrichello, Antonio Pizzonia, Ricardo Zonta, Luca Badoer, Tarso Marques and former Honda sporting director Gil de Ferran.

Vitantonio Liuzzi, meanwhile, had pulled out of the event amid his search for a formula one seat for 2008.