After an exciting Nations Cup yesterday, the individual competition of the Race of Champions took place today. As is usual with this competition, we witnessed many thrilling heats and even unexpected eliminations.
The Group Stage
The Group Stage brought a few surprising moments. Molly Taylor won against her ex-teammate from Extreme E, Johan Kristoffersson, after running behind for most of the lap.
Oliver Solberg swapped the Norwegian colours he was representing yesterday with his father for a Swedish flag on his car today. They partly managed to improve their reputation: Oliver won all his heats, but Petter, on the other hand, got eliminated early again. He opted to sit back and watch his son. He was on the edge of his seat watching the most exciting duel in this stage: Oliver Solberg against Heikki Kovalainen. Solberg had a slight drift during this heat but still managed to win by 4 tenths.
Sebastian Vettel‘s life was made easier when Brodie Kostecki lost the car and headed into the barriers. Despite rejoining the heat, he wasn’t able to make up the difference again. Fortune then turned against him when he experienced a slight technical issue, leading to his heat against Louis Sharp. The German driver had to return to the paddock for a few quick repairs. He started his lap unphased though and then celebrated his win against the youngest driver in the field with the infamous finger.
Just like yesterday during the Nations Cup, Valtteri Bottas wasn’t enjoying himself, having a hard time with the barriers as well as the slight jump. He got eliminated early on and lamented the lack of practice in the various vehicles.
Another surprising elimination came at the hands of Victor Martins. The Frenchman enjoyed the Nations Cup yesterday, winning alongside Sebastien Loeb. Today, he added another important under his belt, eliminating David Coulthard uncharacteristically early.
Chaz Mostert appeared as a tough competitor today after getting a notice to compete at the event last minute. It was all or nothing between him and Kurt Busch, who didn’t judge his speed correctly and hit the barrier after lightly tapping it before. That cost him, and he ended up eliminated.
Quarterfinals
The first quarterfinal duel saw Sebastien Loeb’s first ever run of the night, where he defeated a fast-looking Molly Taylor.
Oliver Solberg had no problems defeating Price in a mighty manner – and multiple drivers backed the young driver as another hot contender for an overall win alongside Loeb.
In the third duel, Vettel enjoyed an early advantage against Mostert after a better launch, but surprisingly lost out. The same fortune awaited his Nations Cup teammate Mick Schumacher, who failed against home hero Will Brown.
Loeb proved to be the superior driver for the day when he won against Taylor even in the second heat as well. Solberg then proceeded into the semifinals next when Toby Price experienced a slight understeer into the last corner that cost him any chance for a win. He only lost by less than two tenths, though.
Vettel lost even his second run against Mostert, much to the joy of the home crowd. With one Australian through to the semifinals, another soon followed when Schumacher lost to Brown. It wasn’t an easy win for him. He experienced a slight issue before their duel. It didn’t slow him down, though, since he came out to win with a mighty jump over the hump.
Semifinals
The stadium erupted in cheers as Loeb/Solberg and Mostert/Brown duels ensured they would have one Australian in the final part of the competition.
Both duels were tight but ended up in the shortest time possible, with Loeb and Mostert winning both of their heats. Solberg, however, came close to winning on the second run against the much more experienced Frenchman, losing out only on the final part of the lap.
Finals
The system for the finals was the same as for the semis. The first to score two wins becomes the overall winner and gets crowned the Champion of Champions.
The first heat went marginally in favour of Sebastien Loeb. The Frenchman stayed undefeated all evening and seemed to be boasting with confidence when he jumped out of the seat as well.
Their second run was much closer. Mostert held a slight edge coming into the final part of the lap in the finish straight. The faster lane favoured Loeb, who carried more speed and won by just over a tenth.
The victory marks a new Race of Champions record. After holding onto four overall wins, Loeb became the first-ever driver to win five ROC events. The victory can be even sweeter, knowing he took home a Nations Cup too, and that he didn’t lose a single heat despite not having any practice from the Group Stage.
In an interview out of the car, Loeb praised the event and fans alike, saying that after his win the previous night, he decided to simply enjoy himself and have fun today. And fun he surely had.