By Phil Huff
December 8 2002

British pop star Robbie Williams told 5 times Formula One World Champion Michael Schumacher on Saturday that he better watch out on the track next season because his best friend, a little-known British race driver, was out to beat him. Williams, famous for making outlandish comments, told Schumacher before a German television audience of more than 10 million that he was not only a racing fan but also close to British American Racing's newcomer Jenson Button.

"I'm a friend of Jenson Button, and he's going to kick your ass," Williams told Schumacher on the ZDF television programme "Wetten dass?" (Wanna Bet?) after a live performance of one of his recent hit songs.

Schumacher, who won 11 grand prix races last season, and is favoured to win his sixth title for Ferrari again next season, appeared surprised by the comments in English from Williams for a moment, at first staring coldly at the British singer, before later breaking the tension with an uncomfortable laugh.