Sebastian Vettel is set to return to competitive racing, but not in Formula 1. The four-time world champion has been named as the first driver for the 2027 Race Of Champions (ROC), which will take place for the first time in New Zealand at Wellington's Hnry Stadium on 9-10 January 2027.
Vettel is no stranger to ROC. Since 2007, he has missed only two editions of the event that pits champions from various motorsport disciplines against each other. Alongside Michael Schumacher, he dominated the Nations' Cup with six consecutive titles from 2007 to 2012, then added another with Pascal Wehrlein in 2017. His individual victory in London 2015 completes his ROC resume.
“Before ROC Sydney, I made a quick first visit to New Zealand and was blown away by the beauty of the country, so I told the organisers jokingly, ‘Can you please bring the next ROC to New Zealand?’,” Vettel recalled. “I am really looking forward to competing against so many other champions from across the globe at the Race Of Champions in Wellington in January, and getting a chance to visit more of New Zealand.”
Joining Vettel is current F1 driver Valtteri Bottas. The 10-time grand prix winner, now racing for backmarker Cadillac, will make his third ROC appearance. Bottas' presence adds further star power, even as he endures a challenging F1 season.
Two more names have been announced: 2025 Supercars champion Chaz Mostert, who made his ROC debut last year in Australia, and New Zealand star Hayden Paddon, a one-time WRC rally winner. Paddon welcomed the news with enthusiasm.
“It’s amazing to see one of the world’s most spectacular motorsport events come to New Zealand for the first time ever,” Paddon said. “New Zealand is really in a golden age of motorsport at the moment across so many disciplines, and I can’t think of a more fitting celebration of this than hosting the Race Of Champions. This is really a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for Kiwi motorsport fans to get up close and personal with drivers from F1, WRC, circuit and other motorsport forms, all battling it out in equal machinery inside one of New Zealand’s most famous sports stadiums.”
With its head-to-head format and identical cars, ROC always delivers surprises. Wellington will host the first-ever ROC in New Zealand, and the driver lineup is only partially revealed. More big names are expected to be announced, making this event one of the most anticipated of early 2027.
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