Finnish youngster Heikki Kovalainen scored a convincing win in the Race of Champions in Paris on Saturday, as several established stars, including seven-time world champion Michael Schumacher, fell by the way-side.

The 23-year-old, a member of Renault's development programme, and winner of the 2004 World Series by Nissan championship, beat David Coulthard, Jean Alesi and Michael Schumacher, on his way to securing a place in the final, where he beat 2004 world Rally champion, Sebastien Loeb.

"I just can't believe it," said Kovalainen, following his dramatic win, ""especially the fact that I beat rallying's World Champion in a WRC car.

"Amazing!" he continued, unable to contain his excitement. "It's not every day you get a chance to beat Michael Schumacher. That was a big moment. I just tried to attack a little harder, brake a little later. And the atmosphere was great too!"

"This victory doesn't change my plans of course," he replied when asked if he thought his emphatic victory might ease his progress into F1, "but hopefully it will create interest in me in the future."

In a special head-to-head, the World Champions Challenge, Michael Schumacher beat WRC champion Sebastien Loeb.

Of the three events, the seven-time F1 champion won two, in the ROC car and the Ferrari 360, but lost out to Loeb in the rally cars.

There was some consolation for Loeb who won the Nations Cup with teammate Jean Alesi, beating the Brazilian duo, Felipe Massa and Tony Kanaan.