Picture Credit: Twitter
Four-time champion Sebastian Vettel is set to take part in the 2023 Race Of Champions after retiring from Formula 1 at the end of the season. Vettel will be in the Race Of Champions event alongside stars like Mika Hakkinen, Johan Kristoffersson and Jamie Chadwick.
The Race Of Champions is scheduled for 28-29 January 2023 at Pite Havsbad resort in Sweden, which is close to the Arctic Circle. This year, drivers will showcase their off-road skills in the ROC Nations Cup and the individual Race Of Champions competition. Sebastian Vettel was the runner-up in the 2022 ROC and won the 2015 event that was held in London.
“I can’t think of a better place for my first race after I retire from Formula 1 than the Race Of Champions,” said Vettel, reacting to this new endeavour. “This will be my 11th appearance, and I keep coming back because it’s a special event and so much fun.”
“I don’t have much experience of racing on snow and ice so it made for a learning curve in Sweden earlier this year – and a very pleasant surprise to reach the individual final against Sebastien Loeb. Now I can’t wait to come back and give ROC-style ice racing another try and hopefully help Team Germany win another ROC Nations Cup title,” he continued.
Two-time W Series champion and Williams Driver Academy member Chadwick is also set to return to the event. She said, “To have the chance to drive on snow and ice is amazing and doing it at the Race Of Champions makes it even more special."
“My ROC debut this year was a pinch-yourself moment to be among so many motorsport greats, so I’m delighted to be coming back. It’s so much fun and I even surprised myself by winning a couple of races – even if I soon found out that it doesn’t take much to end up in a snowbank instead!”