Team Germany’s driver announcement for the Race of Champions (ROC) has added some further Formula 1 flair to an already stacked field, Mick Schumacher and Sebastian Vettel confirmed to team up in January’s event.
The newly signed Mercedes third driver will take part in the individual Race of Champions as well as alongside the four-time World Champion in the ROC Nations Cup.
January’s event will see a return to a snow and ice of Sweden’s Pite Havsbad, the same venue as this years event.
The lineup so far includes racers from Formula 1, W Series, WRC, IndyCar, Rallycross and the WEC.
As have Team Germany, Finland have gone with F1 talent for their selection, Valtteri Bottas partnering up with two-time world champion Mika Hakkinen.
It’s a father-son pairing for Team Norway, WRC great Petter Solberg partnering with his son Oliver for the event.
Rallying rival Thierry Neuville will also compete whilst FIA World Rallycross champion Johan Kristoffersson will be involved with Team Nordic’s campaign.
“Mr Le Mans”, Tom Kristensen will partake in the competition as will Formula 2 World Champion Felipe Drugovich and IndyCar ace Felix Rosenqvist.
The Solberg’s are defending Nations Cup champions for Team Norway having defeated Team USA in this year’s final.
Sebastien Loeb was victorious in the individual event, dispatching Vettel in the final.
Vettel’s partnership with Schumacher is somewhat iconic, the 35-year-old German having won the event a record six consecutive times with Mick’s father, the great Michael Schumacher.
This run means Team Germany are the most successful outfit in the tournaments history with eight Nations’ Cup triumphs.
Loeb is the most celebrated individual driver along with compatriot Didier Auriol, each having four wins to their credit.
A world class field of 20 drivers from 10 countries are set to take part in next year’s running, racing equal cars on parallel tracks. This style of racing attracts the best of the best who seek to prove their abilities as well as represent their countries.
The 2023 edition of the Race of Champions takes place on January 28-29.
