The 2025 Race of Champions concluded last night in Sydney with Sébastien Loeb of France achieving a historic double. The nine-time World Rally Champion secured both the Nations Cup and the Champion of Champions titles, marking a record-breaking fifth victory in the Champion of Champions.
The night kicked off with the Off-Road driver heats, divided into Groups A, B, and C, creating an electric atmosphere in Sydney. In Group A, Australian driver Molly Taylor thrilled the local fans by securing a surprising victory over both Johan Kristoffersson and Michael Romanidis. Her win against the seasoned Kristoffersson, a multiple rallycross champion, was a standout moment, showcasing her remarkable skill. The crowd erupted with excitement as she dominated Romanidis, the eROC champion, proving that her aggressive style was more than a match for the accomplished eSports racer.
Group B featured Travis Pastrana, Heikki Kovalainen, and Oliver Solberg. The action began with Kovalainen narrowly defeating Pastrana in the Supercar Lites. Solberg then comfortably beat Pastrana, eliminating him from the competition. In the final heat, Solberg took the win against Kovalainen, advancing the Swede to the quarterfinals.
Group C showcased an exciting Trans-Tasman rivalry, with Kiwi Hayden Paddon going up against Petter Solberg and Australian Toby Price. The group experienced a significant upset when Paddon defeated Solberg, the WRC great, in their head-to-head race. This victory underscored Paddon’s exceptional skill, especially against a driver with decades of experience in competitive motorsport. Although Price ultimately claimed the group victory, Paddon’s win over Solberg was a standout moment.
The circuit racing heats began with Group D, a compelling matchup featuring 17-year-old Kiwi Louis Sharp, four-time Formula One World Champion Sebastian Vettel, and 2023 Supercars Champion Brodie Kostecki. Vettel, driving the KTM, secured a strong start in the first heat, ultimately winning after Kostecki made a mistake, locking up and understeering into the wall.
The second heat saw Sharp compete against Vettel; despite a determined effort, Sharp lost to the experienced German driver. The final heat pitted Sharp against Kostecki in a closely contested race. Kostecki edged out Sharp by a mere 0.085 seconds, securing the heat win. However, Vettel’s victories in the earlier heats ensured his progression to the quarterfinals. Sharp’s performance against two such established champions, in a different racing discipline to his usual, highlighted his promise and potential.
Group E featured a compelling battle between Formula 1, NASCAR, and Supercars drivers; Chaz Mostert’s dominant performance against Valtteri Bottas and Kurt Busch in the heats solidified his place in the quarterfinals.
Group F, a fierce contest between Will Brown, David Coulthard, and Victor Martins, saw Brown secure the final quarterfinal spot in a closely fought series of heats. Mick Schumacher automatically progressed to the quarterfinals based on his runner-up finish in the previous event.
The quarterfinal matchups presented intense battles. Loeb, displaying his unmatched skill, decisively defeated Taylor. Solberg edged out Price in a closely fought contest. Mostert produced a stunning upset victory over Vettel, while Brown secured his semifinal berth after two fiercely fought heats against Schumacher.
The semifinals brought the tension to a fever pitch. Loeb’s experience shone through, leading to a victory over Solberg. Mostert and Brown contested an all-Australian semifinal, with Mostert securing a narrow but decisive victory in both heats.
The stage was set for an exhilarating final, featuring 2025 Nations Cup winner Loeb facing off against local hero, Mostert. In the first heat, the two competitors took to the Polaris, where Loeb clinched a narrow victory over Mostert by just a quarter of a second. The excitement continued into the second heat, where they raced in RC2 Rallycross cars. Mostert put forth a tremendous effort, aiming to force a tiebreaker, but Loeb managed to edge him out again, finishing just a tenth of a second ahead. This victory marked Loeb’s fifth Race of Champions title, a record-breaking achievement.
“I feel really happy and proud of that, It was an amazing weekend,” said Loeb.
“We won the Nations Cup yesterday with Victor who was amazingly fast. Today, to be able to make it to the final and win it was just an amazing moment.
Header Image: Race of Champions
