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Tag: Race of Champions
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Loeb beats Vettel to be crowned Champion of Champions: RoC
- Nine-time World Rally Champion Sébastien Loeb has thrilled the fans braving heavy snow at Sweden’s Pite Havsbad by winning the Race Of Champions trophy for a record-equalling fourth time.
- Loeb prevailed after defeating four-time F1 World Champion Sebastian Vettel by three heats to one in the Grand Final to take the ROC 2022 title ahead of a field featuring some of motorsport’s greatest ever drivers.
- ‘Mr Le Mans’ Tom Kristensen and Sweden’s DTM and Rallycross ace Mattias Ekström reached the semi-finals at the first ever ROC event held on ice.
- Yesterday’s ROC Nations Cup winners for Team Norway Petter and Oliver Solberg couldn’t repeat their heroics today, both knocked out by Loeb.
- Seven-time NASCAR champion Jimmie Johnson exited in the quarter-finals while double F1 world champion Mika Hakkinen lost in the Round of 16.
Baltic Sea (Sweden) 6 Feb. 2022: France’s world rally legend Sébastien Loeb put in a stunning performance to eclipse 17 fellow superstars of motorsport and win the 2022 Race Of Champions – on a day of non-stop action on the frozen Baltic Sea at Sweden’s Pite Havsbad, just 60 miles from the Arctic Circle.
Following Team Norway’s triumph in yesterday’s ROC Nations Cup, all cooperation went out of the window today. The individual Race Of Champions pitted some of the world’s greatest drivers head-to-head on ROC’s iconic parallel track, purpose built on ice for the first time. After an unprecedented tidal surge saw yesterday’s racing take place on just the inner half of the track, today the drivers could let rip on the full circuit featuring ROC’s famous crossover bridge.
On an afternoon of heavy snow at Pite Havsbad, the Race Of Champions saw greats of global motorsport battling it out for glory in a mix of identical machinery – including the FIA RX2e electric rallycross car, Porsche 718 Cayman GT4 Clubsport, off-road Polaris RZR PRO XP and the 100% fossil-free biofuel powered SuperCar Lites.
In front of packed crowds of Swedish fans braving the cold, the best-of-five Grand Final boiled down to a duel between a pair of true legends: nine-time World Rally Champion Sébastien Loeb and four-time F1 World Champion Sebastian Vettel.
After a thrilling finale as both drivers pushed to the limit in the blizzard, Loeb saw off his German rival by three heats to one to be crowned ROC Champion of Champions for the fourth time. He thus equals the all-time record set by Didier Auriol, his partner for Team France in yesterday’s ROC Nations Cup.
Loeb said: “It’s been a long time since I was last at the Race Of Champions, so I’m happy to find out that at 47 years of age I still have the pace! This adds to my good start to the season: second in the Dakar Rally, first in Monte Carlo and now a victory here at ROC. It wasn’t easy for us to go up against all the Swedish and Norwegian guys because they are more used to these conditions. I also knew it would be tough adapting between the Porsche, buggy and rallycross cars. But after I made it through against Petter Solberg I got more confidence with each run. It was a nice fight with Seb in the final and I had a good feeling – except for when I completely lost control of the car in the third heat! Now here we are, and it’s great to equal Didier’s record of four ROC Champion of Champions titles.
“We also need to congratulate the Fredrik Johnsson and the ROC organisers who have done a great job all week in difficult circumstances. They had to deal with a practice track that sailed off towards Finland, a snowstorm during practice and a rising sea. But everyone kept up a great mood and a positive attitude, with no stress, always finding solutions. And they found it.”
Vettel added: “Sébastien was just too fast today. The conditions were tricky out there and it was getting more and more slippery, which I guess is normal for snow and ice! I don’t have that much experience so it was a struggle to adapt; in my day job getting sideways is what we try to avoid. But I felt I was improving every time I drove. That’s a good sign, but also a sign that I still have a lot to learn. Yesterday was a short day because I let Team Germany down and we went out very quickly, but today I could get more into the groove. I knew the final was a big stretch and I maybe pushed too hard, but I knew I had to go for it to be close to Seb. l made mistakes here and there, so in these conditions I have a bit of catching up to do…
“We’ve missed two years of the Race Of Champions so it’s great to be back and to have a sense of normality. I’ve really enjoyed coming here on a different surface too, and it’s special to be on Fredrik’s home soil. It’s great to have the fans back too and I’m impressed to see so many people in the crowds. I don’t know how they can stand the cold and the wind in their face, but they seemed happy and up for it! Now I hope we can come back to Sweden again.”
To reach the Grand Final Loeb and Vettel had to see off a field featuring 18 of the world’s greatest drivers. Because the track conditions on snow and ice can change quickly depending on the weather, ROC’s traditional group stage did not take place. Instead this year’s Race Of Champions used a straight knockout system with the field split into two halves: one featured the international racing drivers while the other had the rally experts and those with more experience of off-road driving.
At the best-of-three semi-final stage Vettel beat nine-time Le Mans 24 Hours winner Tom Kristensen 2-0 to take bragging rights in the racing drivers’ half of the draw, though the Dane was hampered by a mechanical problem in the first heat.
On the rally side, Loeb finished on top of the pile having brought an end to a spirited run by double DTM Champion and FIA World Rallycross Champion Mattias Ekström, who was the last Swedish driver standing in front of his home fans. The match went to a deciding third heat, won by the Frenchman.
The quarter-finals, which were decided over two heats, saw many big names bite the dust – not least seven-time NASCAR Cup Champion Jimmie Johnson, who lost to Kristensen. IndyCar’s youngest ever race winner Colton Herta was the other racing driver who went out, beaten by Vettel on countback of fastest times after a 1-1 tie.
On the rally side Loeb saw off rising WRC star Oliver Solberg after a match in which one of their races finished in a dead heat, to the nearest thousandth of a second. The other driver exiting at this stage was four-time FIA World Rallycross Champion Johan Kristoffersson, who lost to Ekström despite winning their first race heat by just one hundredth of a second.
The Round of 16 was another graveyard for motorsport’s superstars. In the racing half of the draw, double F1 World Champion Mika Hakkinen went out at the hands of Johnson while his long-time McLaren F1 team-mate David Coulthard was defeated by Kristensen. Double W Series Champion Jamie Chadwick and this year’s W Series runner-up Emma Kimilainen also left the competition at this stage, beaten by Herta and Vettel respectively.
The rally side of the draw was just as brutal. FIA World Rally and World Rallycross Champion Petter Solberg couldn’t find a way past Loeb so there was to be no repeat of yesterday’s ROC Nations Cup glory. His fellow World Rallycross Champion Timmy Hansen had to accept defeat by Kristoffersson after crashing out, while four-time ROC Champion of Champions Didier Auriol fell to Ekström. Mexico’s reigning ROC Champion of Champions Benito Guerra was another of the early casualties after being beaten by Oliver Solberg.
Kicking off the afternoon’s action, four of the racing drivers were matched up in pairs for two Round 1 play-offs. Germany’s FIA F2 and F3 Champion Mick Schumacher was defeated by Chadwick while four-time Indy 500 Winner Helio Castroneves also had to bid an early goodbye after falling to Herta. The Brazilian ace was later seen relaxing in style in the ROC Drivers’ Lounge after declaring he and snow ‘don’t mix’.
Ahead of the main action, the home fans were given a treat as four sporting legends took place in a celebrity race in the Porsche 718 Cayman GT4 Clubsport. The field featured tennis great Jonas Björkman plus Olympic skiing gold medallists Ingemar Stenmark, Anja Pärson and Aksel Lund Svindal, who was the only Norwegian taking on three Swedes on their home turf. In the end it was Lund Svindal who came out on top, beating Stenmark in the final by just 0.8 seconds. The skiing great thus added to his home country’s amazing run of success here this weekend following Petter and Oliver Solberg’s triumph for Team Norway in the ROC Nations Cup yesterday.
This year’s Race Of Champions has raised over 1 million SEK (€100,000) towards a selection of worthwhile charities. The key recipients have included German children’s charity Kinderlachen, the Zelmerlöw and Björkman Foundation’s school in Kenya, the ICM (institute for advanced research on brain and spinal cord injuries in Paris) plus a range of the drivers’ other favourite charities.
Today’s action at Pite Havsbad marks the end of ROC Sweden for 2022. We hope you enjoyed this festival of motor sport and entertainment on the snow and ice, and we look forward to welcoming you back for our next event.
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Mick Schumacher to partner Sebastian Vettel on Team Germany at ROC Mexico
File photo of Michael Schumacher and Sebastian Vettel who raced as team Germany in the past. An ROC image - This year’s FIA Formula 3 European Champion Mick Schumacher will compete at January’s Race Of Champions in Mexico City
- Still just 19 years old, Schumacher will team up with four-time F1 world champion Sebastian Vettel for Team Germany in the ROC Nations Cup
- This will be an emotional occasion as Vettel previously partnered Mick’s father Michael Schumacher to six consecutive ROC Nations Cup titles from 2007-2012
- ROC Mexico will be held on January 19-20, 2019 at the Foro Sol, the iconic amphitheatre forming part of Mexico City’s Autódromo Hermanos Rodríguez Formula 1 circuit, where race fans will have a perfect view from every seat
- Ticket prices start at just $1,450 pesos for two days of non-stop action
- Watch a one-minute video all about ROC Mexico
The 2018 FIA Formula 3 European Champion Mick Schumacher will make his Race Of Champions debut on January 19-20, 2019 at the Foro Sol, the iconic amphitheatre forming part of Mexico City’s Autódromo Hermanos Rodríguez Formula 1 circuit.
Fresh from his victorious season, the 19-year-old Schumacher – son of seven-time F1 world champion Michael – will also team up with his fellow countryman Sebastian Vettel for Team Germany in the ROC Nations Cup.
This is sure to be an occasion charged with emotion as Vettel partnered Mick’s father Michael to six consecutive ROC Nations Cup victories. The pair started their glorious run at London’s Wembley Stadium (2007-2008), followed by Beijing (2009), two wins at home in Düsseldorf (2010-2011) and a final triumph at Bangkok (2012).
It was the following year that Michael suffered a serious head injury. The F1 legend has stayed in the thoughts of everyone involved with the Race Of Champions, with a banner in Michael’s honour unfurled before every ROC event in the intervening years (see picture below) along with awareness and funds raised in aid of the ICM Brain and Spine Institute.
Now Mick will bring the Schumacher family name back where it belongs, racing for glory on the track itself. As one of the trustees of Keep Fighting Foundation inspired by Michael Schumacher he will also help raise awareness of the initiative of Michael’s family wishing to continue his charitable work.
The young Mick first raced in 2008, initially competing under his mother Corinna’s maiden name Betsch to limit the pressure of his famous surname. After a decade of racing in karts and lower formulae, this year has been his finest yet. He took no fewer than eight victories – five of them in quick succession during one stunning run at the Nürburgring and Red Bull Ring in September – en route to being crowned the FIA F3 European Champion.
Mick now has the chance to add even more glory when he takes to the track against legends from all the major disciplines of global motor sport in identical supercars at ROC Mexico.
Schumacher said: “I am overwhelmed that I’ve been invited to participate in the Race Of Champions as the champion of the FIA Formula 3 European Championship. And I’m even more overwhelmed that I’m going to form Team Germany with Sebastian Vettel. It’s going to be tough because Sebastian is a big player in the Race Of Champions and of course I want to be a worthy team-mate for him!
“I can’t tell you how much I’m looking forward to the Race Of Champions weekend, especially as it will be held in Mexico where this year’s F1 World Championship was decided and everyone has seen how much Mexican fans can party in the spectacular Foro Sol. Now the ROC weekend will be just as spectacular for me. Such a debut at such an event is simply sensational.
“I’m honoured to enter this competition which my father always loved and in which he set the bar very high together with Sebastian. There are so many renowned drivers in action and I’m looking forward to competing against them and getting to know them better; I’m looking forward to the fun we’ll all have together and which we’ll offer for the spectators in Mexico. But of course I’ll do everything to get far in the individual event and to win the ROC Nations Cup trophy with Sebastian for Team Germany!”
ROC President Fredrik Johnsson added: “We can’t begin to express how thrilled we are that Mick will be racing at January’s ROC Mexico. His father Michael has been a friend of the Race Of Champions for many years, and of course his contribution both on and off the track has been immense. We continue to wish him well in his recovery, and I can’t think of a finer legacy than to have Mick racing with us for the first time.
“Of course Mick is here entirely on merit, having shown the world what he can do all season en route to the FIA F3 European Championship. Now we are excited to see what he can do in the identical supercars at ROC Mexico. When Mick lines up with Sebastian Vettel for Team Germany in Saturday’s ROC Nations Cup, it is sure to be an emotional moment for everyone involved. Imagine the roar from the crowd if they can find a way to lift the trophy…
“If you want to be a part of this historic occasion at Mexico City’s stunning Foro Sol, we look forward to welcoming you. See you in January!”
The Race Of Champions is an annual contest which has a history dating back over 30 years. It brings together many of the world’s greatest drivers from motorsport’s major disciplines – including Formula 1, NASCAR, IndyCar, Le Mans, World Rally and RallyX – and sets them free to battle head-to-head in identical machinery.
The Foro Sol will join a list of prestigious venues to have hosted ROC since 1988 – including Beijing’s Bird’s Nest and London’s Olympic stadiums, Stade de France in Paris, Wembley Stadium in London, Miami’s Marlins Park plus a wide range of exotic locations all over the world from Bangkok to Barbados to Riyadh.
The event enjoys a rich record of attracting global superstars from every corner of motorsport. Formula 1 World Champions Sebastian Vettel, Michael Schumacher, Fernando Alonso and Jenson Button have raced against NASCAR stars Jeff Gordon, Jimmie Johnson and Busch brothers Kyle and Kurt, IndyCar’s Juan Pablo Montoya and Ryan Hunter-Reay, World Rally greats Sébastien Loeb, Sébastien Ogier and Colin McRae, as well as prominent figures from other classes including record Le Mans winner Tom Kristensen, X Games legend Travis Pastrana plus MotoGP icons Mick Doohan, Jorge Lorenzo and Valentino Rossi.
Now the greats of Mexican motorsport have the chance to race some of the world’s best drivers – all in ROC’s identical machinery. The competitors will take to the track in a stunning range of supercars that have been specially prepared for ROC to push them to the absolute limit. To prevail, they will have to master this mix of machines, forcing them to adapt their driving style as they make regular switches between cars and putting all their hard-earned skills to the test.
It makes for a thrilling spectacle, with head-to-head races often decided by fractions of a second – as the screams of the crowd compete for supremacy with the screams of the engines…
The Race Of Champions is run over two days: first comes the ROC Nations Cup (on Saturday January 19) when drivers pair up in teams based on nationality – including the hosts Mexico – to bid for the title of ‘World’s Fastest Nation’. Then on Sunday January 20 it’s time for the Race Of Champions itself, when teamwork goes out of the window and it’s a flat-out battle for individual glory.
But that’s not all. The Race Of Champions is a non-stop show from start to finish and also features stunt shows on four wheels and two plus DJs, cheerleaders and plenty of other entertainment to keep the race fans on the edge of their seats.
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Reigning champions from top motorsport series all over the world join ROC Riyadh line-up
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File photo from Race of Champions organisers. The field of driving royalty competing in next week’s Race Of Champions has been boosted by a host of drivers who dominated top motorsport series in 2017
- Reigning champions joining the ROC Riyadh line-up include 2017 Le Mans winner and FIA World Endurance Champion Timo Bernhard, DTM Champion René Rast and FIA World Rallycross Champion Johan Kristoffersson
- Mexico’s 2017 European Le Mans Series Champion Memo Rojas will take to the track too, alongside 2017 NASCAR Mexico Champion Abraham Calderon and young Swedish charger Joel Eriksson
- They join a stunning ROC field featuring F1 stars, Indy 500 winners, Le Mans legends and rallycross aces such as David Coulthard, Juan Pablo Montoya, Tom Kristensen, Petter Solberg, Lando Norris, Ryan Hunter-Reay, Josef Newgarden and Helio Castroneves
- ROC Riyadh will take place inside the King Fahad International Stadium on February 2-3. For more info see www.raceofchampions.com
Many of the reigning champions who dominated motorsport series all over the world in 2017 have joined the field of driving royalty assembling for next week’s Race Of Champions – to be held on February 2-3, 2018 in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia at Riyadh’s King Fahad International Stadium.The ROC Riyadh field already includes some of the greatest names in the history of motorsport such as Formula 1 stars, Indianapolis 500 winners and Le Mans legends. Now they will be joined by a host of current stars who are at the top of their game in everything from rallycross to touring cars to endurance racing to NASCAR.
Germany’s Timo Bernhard will make his ROC debut after a stunning year for Porsche in which he took his second win at the Le Mans 24 Hours (alongside Brendon Hartley and Earl Bamber) before adding the overall FIA World Endurance Championship. He will be joined in Riyadh by his fellow countryman René Rast, who stunned the tin-top world by sealing the 2017 DTM crown in a Team Rosberg Audi in his first full year.
Sweden will also be well represented in Riyadh, starting with another ROC debutant: 2017 FIA World Rallycross Champion Johan Kristoffersson had a dazzling year, at one point taking five successive wins to see off a star-studded field and romp to the crown. Young Swedish charger Joel Eriksson will be in action too, after a season in which he took seven FIA European F3 Championship wins and was pipped to the title by British ace Lando Norris. The pair can now resume hostilities next week…
There will also be two Mexican drivers making their Race Of Champions debuts in Riyadh after sealing championships in 2017. Triple Daytona 24 Hours winner and four-time Grand-Am Champion Memo Rojas added the European Le Mans Series title to his impressive racing roll of honour, and he will now be joined on the ROC parallel track by newly-crowned NASCAR Mexico champion Abraham Calderon.
> Watch Rojas, Calderon and the VUHL 05 ROC Edition prepare for Race Of Champions in Riyadh
The new arrivals will have their work cut out against a line-up of motorsport legends including double Indianapolis 500 winner and F1 veteran Juan Pablo Montoya, who will defend the ROC Champion of Champions crown he won on his debut in Miami last year. Fellow Indy 500 winners Helio Castroneves and Ryan Hunter-Reay will be in action too, alongside reigning IndyCar champion Josef Newgarden.
‘Mr Le Mans’ Tom Kristensen and double FIA World Rallycross Champion Petter Solberg.will compete alongside 13-time F1 grand prix winner David Coulthard and newly-crowned 2017 FIA Formula 3 European Champion Lando Norris. ROC Factor winners from Saudi Arabia and the Middle East will also earn the chance to take on this illustrious line-up of driving superstars.
Bernhard said: “Believe it or not I visited the Race Of Champions way back in 1989 when it came to the Nürburgring. That day I was just watching with my Dad but ever since I’ve been waiting for my chance to compete – and now that day has arrived! I’m really looking forward to racing on the famous ROC parallel track, and it will be a true privilege to take on such an amazing field of great drivers from all over the world who are all experts in their own fields. Bring it on…”
Kristoffersson added: “I’m thrilled to be competing at the Race Of Champions for the first time in Riyadh next week. I’ve long been a fan of the event and I’ve learned even more this year because my WRX team-mate Petter Solberg won’t stop talking about how great it is! Now I can finally experience ROC first-hand. It’s an honour to represent Sweden together with Joel Eriksson. Of course it will be a big challenge as a rookie, but I used to race touring cars so I hope that mix of experience can help me adapt quickly to all the different cars. Either way I look forward to putting on a great show for all the fans watching in the stadium and all over the world.”
The Race Of Champions is an annual contest which is now in its 30th year. It brings together some of the world’s greatest drivers from motor sport’s major disciplines – including Formula 1, IndyCar, Le Mans, World Rally and the X Games – and sets them free to battle head-to-head in identical machinery.
In recent years ROC has visited some of the world’s best stadiums: the Stade de France in Paris (2004-2006), London’s Wembley Stadium (2007-2008), the ‘Bird’s Nest’ Olympic Stadium in Beijing (2009), Düsseldorf’s Esprit Arena (2010-2011), the Rajamangala Stadium in Bangkok (2012), Bushy Park Barbados (2014), London’s Olympic Stadium (2015) and Miami’s Marlins Park (2017).
Now the event is heading to the Middle East for the first time to soak up the heat of Riyadh. Saudi motorsport fans – including women for the first time at an international event – have a chance to watch the speediest action the city has ever seen as many of the world’s greatest drivers push to the absolute limit on a brand new parallel track winding its way around the confines of the King Fahad International Stadium.
The Race Of Champions is run over two days: first comes the ROC Nations Cup (on Friday February 2) when drivers pair up in teams based on nationality – including the hosts Saudi Arabia – to bid for the title of ‘World’s Fastest Nation’. Then on Saturday February 3 it’s time for the Race Of Champions itself, when teamwork goes out of the window and it’s a flat-out battle for individual glory.
The competitors will take to the track in a stunning range of supercars that have been specially prepared for the event to test them to the absolute limit. Vehicles in action include the Vuhl 05 ROC Edition, Ariel Atom Cup, Xtreme Pickup, Whelen NASCAR, KTM X-Bow Comp R and the ROC Car. To prevail, drivers will have to master this mix of machinery that will put all their hard-earned skills to the test, forcing them to adapt their driving style as they make regular switches between cars.
But that’s not all. The Race Of Champions is a non-stop show from start to finish and also features stunt shows on four wheels and two plus plenty of other entertainment to keep the race fans on the edge of their seats
ROC President Fredrik Johnsson said: “At the Race Of Champions we have always loved to take drivers from all sorts of different disciplines and throw them together in identical machinery to see who comes out on top. This year is no exception, and we have assembled another line-up of driving greats from all over the world.
“Our field now contains a mix of legends and current champions from Le Mans, IndyCar, Rally X, Formula 1, Touring Cars, NASCAR and more. If you’ve ever wondered which type of motorsport really has the best drivers of all, next week’s ROC Riyadh will give you the perfect chance to find out!”
For access to rights-free high-resolution imagery and to keep up with all the latest news ahead of this year’s event please visit www.raceofchampions.com, Race Of Champions on Facebook plus @raceofchampions and #ROCRiyadh on Twitter.
eom/posted by David Bodapati, a press release from RoC
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Motor sport legends prepare for this week’s Race Of Champions
Image courtesy Race of Champions 2015 - London’s former Olympic Stadium was swarming with legends of motor sport today ahead of Friday and Saturday’s Race Of Champions
- Champions from series including F1, Le Mans, IndyCar, Touring Cars and Rallycross put in their first (wet) practice laps of ROC’s all-new pursuit track
- Formula 1 world champion Jenson Button said: “It will be awesome to race in the Olympic Stadium with the crowds so close to the track.”
- ‘Mr Le Mans’ Tom Kristensen summed up the tactics: “We just smack it into the first corner and hope there’s grip…”
- They’ll be joined in Saturday’s individual race by ROC Factor winner Bradley Philpot, who defeated Des Foley in today’s shootout
- Tickets are still available from www.raceofchampions.com for the action on Friday and Saturday in London’s former Olympic Stadium but get in quick!
Many of the world’s greatest drivers put in their first laps of London’s former Olympic Stadium today ahead of this weekend’s Race Of Champions.
The annual end-of-season event, which has been running for over 25 years, brings together some of the world’s best drivers from motor sport’s major disciplines and sets them free to battle head-to-head in identical machinery.
The ROC 2015 field features no less than six current F1 drivers plus greats of other motor sport series including Le Mans, IndyCar, Rallycross and Touring Cars. They have travelled to London from all over the world including South America, the USA and Australia. Now they will be joined in Saturday’s Race Of Champions by Bradley Philpot, who won today’s ROC Factor shootout against rival Des Foley for the chance of a lifetime to take on many of the world’s greatest drivers.
Ahead of this weekend’s events the drivers faced the media at London’s former Olympic Stadium. Here’s a selection of what they’ve said so far:
Jenson BUTTON, 2009 Formula 1 World Champion (Team England 2)
“It’s been a few years since I’ve been at the Race Of Champions so it’s great to be here. It will be really nice to have the crowds so close by while we’re driving. It’s great to have it in the UK and it’s awesome being in the Olympic Stadium. I’m sure we all watched the Olympics in 2012 and we’ve all got very special memories of it. I raced at ROC at Wembley in 2007 and 2008, which was an awesome experience too, and we’ve been to the Bird’s Nest Stadium in China. But coming here is the best.”
Sebastian VETTEL, four-time Formula 1 World Champion (Team Germany)
“This is a fun event and everyone who has been here before likes to come back if they get an invite. The best thing is just to spend time with guys who share a common passion. So it’s an honour to be on the grid – and obviously fighting for your nation is a privilege. I’m with Nico for the first time on Team Germany this year so we’ll push very hard to get the silverware back tomorrow. Then on Saturday you try to do it on your own. I haven’t achieved that yet so I’ve still got some catching up to do. It’s a tough competition no matter who you’re standing next to on the startline. Anyone can win and two laps is not much time to get used to the car so the tricky bit is to get everything right.”
Daniel RICCIARDO, three-time Formula 1 grand prix winner (Team Australia)
“This is my first Race Of Champions so it’s like losing my virginity… Of course there are a lot of familiar faces from the F1 paddock but there are also lots of champions from other kinds of motor sport. As you can see, all of us drivers do get on but F1 is our business so other than the drivers parade we keep to ourselves a lot. But we all share a love of racing cars and it’s great to get together in a light-hearted atmosphere. It’s challenging to be jumping in and out of all the different cars but the guy who takes it most seriously probably won’t do that well…”
David COULTHARD, reigning ROC Champion of Champions (Team Scotland)
“I’m slightly embarrassed to be here among all these great competitors now that I’ve retired from racing but Fredrik Johnsson and his ROC team do such a great job. The fact that we have so many F1 drivers competing here one week ahead of the final race of the season in Abu Dhabi says everything you need to know about how this event is put together. This is a great celebration of motor sport and a great chance to hang out with guys who you’ve admired from other series. We’re all brought together by a common cause, which is a love of competition.”
Tom KRISTENSEN, nine-time Le Mans 24 Hours winner (Team Nordic)
“Le Mans is 13.628km long whereas this track is 565 metres. You don’t have any real practice, you go out in the car, go to the starting grid and drive. Each heat lasts less than two minutes so it’s very different to what we normally do. It’s very much a sprint. This is full action. You go out in whatever car they put in front of you and you just do your best. It’s always a lot of fun – until you lose. Even if you go out early you can try to lead in the locker room instead. DC and I are both retired so we just try to smack it into the first corner and hope there’s grip…”
Petter SOLBERG, reigning FIA World Rallycross Champion (Team Nordic)
“This event is always really good fun. Last year we were in Barbados and I must say David did a fantastic job. He was laughing at us at night, saying it was easy. At least Tom and I won the ROC Nations Cup so we will fight hard to try to win it again. But these other guys are certainly very good, even if they claim they’re here just for fun. This event is quite close to rallycross with very short laps so it’s all about not making any mistakes. A lot of things can happen on the track but the spectators will love it if someone hits the wall…”
Nico HÜLKENBERG, 2015 Le Mans 24 Hours winner (Team Germany)
“This is my first time at the Race Of Champions so I’ll have to see how it pans out but it’s great to be here. I’ve been watching it for a few years and been keen to do it so I’m happy to finally have my chance. So far the Euro NASCAR and the buggies look the most fun but some of the cars look a real handful. There seems to be absolutely no grip out there so you just have to survive. But I’ll figure it out and see how far I get. I went to Le Mans for the first time this year and won that so if the same story could play out here, that sounds good to me…”
Felipe MASSA, 11-time Formula 1 grand prix winner (Team Brazil)
“My last time here was ten years ago so I was still very young. So thanks for having me back. It’s fantastic to be here in London in this amazing place. I don’t know how it’s going to be if we have a very wet track like today but I’m sure I’m going to enjoy it and have a lot of fun racing. We all get on well together but unfortunately in the Formula 1 paddock we can’t enjoy as much time together as we do here. So I’m sure these three days will be a lot of fun. Maybe we need something a bit more like this in F1 as well…”
Mick DOOHAN, five-time 500cc MotoGP World Champion (Team Australia)
“I’d love Team Australia to be up there but while Daniel has the talent, unfortunately he’s carrying an old motorbike racer along with him. So I feel a bit sorry for him. I’ll try my best but it’s hard to compete against guys who compete in cars day in day out. Each car has its own issue with understeer and oversteer so you have to get to grips with that. I tapped the wall today – well, more than a tap really, a good hit. It was at the quickest part of the track and I went right in. Fortunately I didn’t injure myself or the passenger who came along for the ride. Still, it’s a hell of a lot of fun to be here.”
Jolyon PALMER, 2014 GP2 Champion (Team Young Stars)
“Barbados was great fun last year and it was a good challenge as well – the first time is always a bit of an eye-opener. That was actually my last real race too, so it’s been a while. Of course we don’t overtake anyone on this track but you get the competitive feeling I’ve been missing this year. So it will be good to get out there, hopefully knock some people out and progress. It’s a great fun event with a good friendly atmosphere but everyone’s quite keen to win as well. On this new pursuit track you’re definitely aware of the other car from the moment you get out. As you go through the checkpoints, if you’re down you throw caution to the wind, if you’re up you just make sure you bring it home.”
Jason PLATO, double British Touring Car Champion (Team England 1)
“Where do you ever get the chance to race against the best drivers in the world in a fantastic place like the former Olympic Stadium? Last time I was together with Andy we got to the final in Düsseldorf when we lost to Team Germany, so we want to go one better this year. All the cars have their own different challenges, especially in the wet weather. I think we’ll get some good crowds and the atmosphere will be amazing so I’m really looking forward to it. Whoever flirts best with the walls and gets away with it will do well.”
Andy PRIAULX, triple World Touring Car Champion (Team England 1)
“I came here to watch Usain Bolt win the 200m at the Olympics and I can’t believe we’ve got a circuit here now. It’s an honour to drive in front of your own crowd and I remember coming to Wembley when the atmosphere was fantastic. The new format with cars chasing each other will work well and the track has a nice flow to it. The last time JP came to the Race Of Champions we hit it pretty hard the night before. So hopefully we’ll enjoy a bit more focus this weekend and be a bit more concentrated.”
Susie WOLFF, Williams Martini Racing Official Test Driver (Team Scotland)
“I had such a great time in Barbados last year so it’s fantastic to be here for my last race, and to go up against such brilliant drivers in lots of different cars. It’s a completely different challenge to go as quick as you can without much warm-up or testing. With the new asphalt on the track and cold tyres and brakes, just keeping the car on track was a challenge today. But being from Scotland of course I’m not used to driving in the wet… I went to bed early last year and my team-mate David did the exact opposite – and to quite an extreme. So this year I’m changing my tactics and going out in style…”
Alex BUNCOMBE, Blancpain Endurance Series Champion (Team England 2)
“To get the chance to race with these guys out there on the track is phenomenal for me. I couldn’t believe it when I got the call. The Race Of Champions has always been something I’ve wanted to do and now it’s been made possible. So that’s great. I’ve been lucky enough to drive quite a lot of different cars for Nissan so hopping from car to car here at the Race Of Champions shouldn’t be too much of an issue. I think that’s what it’s going to come down to – being able to hop out of the buggy and get into the Mercedes and get straight on it. It’s going to be tough but I’ll certainly be doing my best.”
Pascal WEHRLEIN, 2015 DTM Champion (Team Young Stars)
“This is my second Race Of Champions and it’s definitely an honour to be here. This year I wasn’t sure if I’d get invited. I asked Fredrik if I could come back again and he said I could have an invite if I won the DTM Championship. So here I am. I’m proud to be here going up against the world’s best drivers. Last year in Barbados I came second so I’ve still got one more place to improve. But it will be really tough. Everyone is really talented and in the end anyone could win.”
Ryan HUNTER-REAY, 2014 Indianapolis 500 Winner (Team Americas)
“It’s just great to be here in this company. These are the best drivers form around the world so it’s great to be here competing with them and getting to know them. Last year I got closer but that doesn’t cut it here, so hopefully this could be the year. But I learned last year that the guy you least suspect can be fast and put themselves right in the mix so you can’t count anyone out. In IndyCar we have a lot of tight street circuits so maybe that will help, but it will be very interesting if it’s wet…”
ROC 2015 begins with tomorrow evening’s ROC Nations Cup, followed by the Race Of Champions itself on Saturday afternoon.
Tickets for ROC 2015 are still available at ticketmaster.co.uk/roc. For access to hi-res imagery please visitwww.raceofchampions.com. You can sign up for all the latest updates at www.raceofchampions.com, Race Of Champions on Facebook or @raceofchampions and #ROCLondon on Twitter.
