Four-time Formula One world champion and current Scuderia Ferrari driver Sebastian Vettel has won the Race of Champions trophy for the first time in his career.
Vettel took the win at the London event after defeating “Mr Le Mans” himself Tom Kristensen, who raced in his fourth ROC Grand Final. Other talented drivers such as reigning ROC champ David Coulthard and Blancpain Endurance Series champ Alex Buncombe couldn’t make it out of the semi-finals.
Local favorites Jason Plato and Andy Priaulx, members of Team Englad 1, made it as far as the quarter-finals, but eventually lost out to Kristensen and Buncombe respectively.
In her last official race, Susie Wolff went out defeated by fellow countryman and Team Scotland partner David Coulthard during the last 16 eliminations – which also included Petter Solberg (beaten by Vettel), Red Bull’s Daniel Ricciardo (defeated by Force India’s Nico Hulkenberg) and reigning Formula E champion Nelson Piquet Jr who lost out to Kristensen.
The home crowd cheered for the likes of Jenson Button, who eventually lost to fellow F1 driver Felipe Massa, though Plato and Priaulx did better by defeating Romain Grosjean and Indy 500 winner Ryan Hunter-Reay respectively.
Despite six ROC Nations Cup wins while partnered up with Michael Schumacher for Team Germany, Sebastian Vettel had never been in a Race of Champions Grand Final before. As it turns out, the Ferrari driver had what it takes to beat everyone in the competition.
“Of course I’m very happy and honoured to win – but that took a while! A lot of world class racing drivers have won this trophy. I’ve tried to win this many times and failed many times but finally I’ve succeeded,” said Vettel. “What the Race Of Champions gives us is a lot of joy. When we were kids starting to race, we did it for pure joy and this sort of event is a good reminder of that. When you close the visor, ultimately victory is still what drives you. But I’ve tried to win this so many times, today was more like a surprise. We all know this format is very difficult because no one gets much time in the cars so you need to find your rhythm quickly. Today I had the feeling I found it straightaway. It was very cold but it was a great atmosphere so thank you very much to everyone for coming to watch.”
Coulthard might have actually had a chance to repeat as ROC winner had he not jumped the start against Vettel in the semi-finals.
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