Oliver Rudgewick reports as four time Formula One champion Sebastian Vettel claims his first Race of Champions title at the Olympic Stadium in London…
Vettel’s ROC started with a 2-0 win over this season’s Rallycross champion Petter Solberg. Then the 28-year old dispatched compatriot and Nation’s Cup teammate Nico Hulkenburg by the same score-line.
Vettel went on to defeat last year’s champion David Coulthard 2-1, which set up a final with ‘Mr Le Mans’, Tom Kristensen. Vettel won 2-0 to claim his maiden ROC crown after Kristensen crashed into a barrier, leaving Vettel to claim victory and become the first German to take the title.
After his triumph Vettel spoke to ROC website saying, “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”.
British success
Elsewhere, British driver Alex Buncombe followed up a good nations’ cup performance by making it to the semi-final losing out to Kristensen.
ROC Factor winner Bradley Philpot was a surprise inclusion, after an injury to Moto GP rider Jorge Lorenzo. The Brit made it to the quarter finals losing to Buncombe.
Jenson Button failed to progress into the Semi-finals after losing to fellow Formula One veteran Felipe Massa losing 2-0.
During the afternoon, stunt driver Terry Grant set a new world record for the most people in a car on two wheels, fitting 16 people in a Range Rover Sport SVR and completing a lap of the track.
Vettel adds to his six Nation Cup victories alongside the legendary Michael Schumacher with his first Race of Champions title. He’ll take a well deserved break before starting Formula One pre-season testing in January.