Sebastian Vettel and Mick Schumacher are gearing up for the next Race of Champions in Sweden this January. The event, marking its 32nd anniversary, is slated for January 28-29 and will take place on the frozen surface of the Baltic Sea in northern Sweden—a rare venue for the competition. It remains one of the most exciting events in motorsport, pitting top drivers from different series and nations against each other in a mix of individual and team challenges.
Sebastian Vettel and Mike Schumacher are all set to join forces in January at the latest edition of the Race of Champions, which is set to take place in Sweden. The 2023 Race of Champions will be the 32nd running of the Race of Champions, which is scheduled to take place on January 28 and 29. The race will take place in Sweden for the second time in its history, taking place in the north of the country on a circuit of snow and ice on the frozen Baltic Sea. The Race of Champions is a popular event in which many motorsport stars across various nations, different championships, and series will be looking to deliver their skills against one another, in both team and individual disciplines.
Vettel is no stranger to victory here, having previously secured a team win alongside the legendary Michael Schumacher. Now, the 35-year-old is excited to get back into the action and chase another title, this time partnering with his close friend and former F1 colleague, Mick Schumacher, as they represent Team Germany.
The path to gold won't be easy, as Team Great Britain enters the fray with a strong duo in David Coulthard and Jamie Chadwick. Additionally, Team Finland presents a formidable challenge, pairing two-time F1 world champion Mika Hakkinen with current F1 star Valtteri Bottas.
The lineup also features rally heavyweights such as Thierry Neuville, Petter Solberg, and Oliver Solberg, all of whom are perennial favorites in this format. Joining them is Johan Kristoffersson; the 34-year-old Swede and five-time Rallycross champion enters the year's first big event hoping to maintain the dominant form he displayed throughout the 2022 WRX season.
For Vettel, this marks his first serious return to the cockpit since retiring from Formula 1. He's undoubtedly eager to put his helmet back on and push the car to its limits as he and Schumacher hunt for the championship title.
Charles Leclerc is confident that Mercedes will reclaim their dominant pre-2022 status and be genuine contenders for the F1 world title next season. The 25-year-old Monegasque driver expects the team to quickly iron out the technical issues that plagued them recently. Pointing to their victory in Brazil as a sign of progress, Leclerc believes Mercedes will arrive in 2023 with a car capable of fighting for the championship.