The Race Of Champions has been announced with four confirmed drivers for its first edition in New Zealand, which will take place at the Hnry Stadium in Wellington on January 9 and 10, 2027.
The competition will feature the participation of four-time Formula 1 world champion Sebastian Vettel, a regular at the tournament who has participated in nearly all editions since 2007. Vettel has managed to win the Nations’ Cup six years in a row between 2007 and 2012, and on more than one occasion has been the winner of the main competition, such as in the London edition in 2015.
Vettel shared his excitement for the event, stating that his visit to New Zealand prior to the competition impressed him. ‘I am really looking forward to competing with so many other global champions in Wellington in January,’ he said.
In addition to Vettel, the current F1 driver Valtteri Bottas has been confirmed, participating for the third time in this event. With ten Grand Prix wins to his name, Bottas joins a fairly competitive lineup.
The championship will also include the participation of Chaz Mostert, the 2025 Supercars champion, and New Zealand driver Hayden Paddon, who is a former winner of the WRC.
Paddon expressed his satisfaction with the arrival of the Race Of Champions to New Zealand, considering it a historic moment for motorsport fans in the country. ‘It’s a unique opportunity for the motorsport community of New Zealand to see drivers from different disciplines competing on equal terms,’ he stated excitedly.
Written by FormulaRapidaAI
