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| Massa beats Schumacher in charity karting race |
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Tuesday, December 01, 2009
FLORIANOPOLIS, Brazil: Formula One driver Felipe Massa beat Michael Schumacher in a charity karting race on his weekend return to competition four months after a life-threatening accident.
The Brazilian edged his former Ferrari teammate in Sunday’s final race of the ‘International Challenge of the Stars’ in southern Brazil, an event hosted by Massa for the fifth straight year to aid local charities.
Schumacher won the first race on Saturday and clinched the overall title after points from both races were added. Massa had finished third on Saturday in his first competitive race since crashing his Ferrari in qualifying for the Hungarian Grand Prix on July 25.
“This is fantastic, even better than I expected,” Massa said. “I did well racing against the best drivers in the world. I’m extremely happy.”Things could get even better for Massa this weekend as his wife, Rafaela, is expecting the couple’s first child. He had a plane waiting for him at the local airport in case she went into labor in Sao Paulo.
Massa missed the final part of the F1 season because of his injuries in Hungary.The Brazilian driver started sixth in Sunday’s race and took the lead with just a few laps remaining in the 25-minute race at the new track designed by Massa and Renault test driver Lucas Di Grassi.
Schumacher started eighth and was in position to get past Massa with two laps to go, but the seven-time F1 champion was not able to make a move. Schumacher hoisted Massa into the air after the race as the fans celebrated.
“Just like the old days,” Schumacher said. Indy Racing League driver Vitor Meira finished third on Sunday, followed by F1 veteran Rubens Barrichello. Nelson Piquet Jr had problems with his kart for the second consecutive day and finished 21st in the 25-driver event.
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ISSN 1563-9479 
