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 Petrona🔥s 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.