Four-time world champion Sebastian Vettel may have bid farewell to F1 at the completion of the 2022 season, but his immediate future in motorsport is still very much active.
The iconic German driver will link up with Mercedes’ new recruit Mick Schumacher as the duo line up for Team Germany in the Race of Champions event on snow and ice in Sweden’s Pite Havsbad.
The race will take place on January 28 as both Vettel and Mick will line up together to compete for the title of ‘World’s Fastest Nation’.
Germany is by far the most dominant team in this competition owing to Vettel and Mick’s father Michael Schumacher, who tasted plenty of success while together at this tournament.
Such was their superiority that the team won six straight titles between 2007 to 2012.
While the Nordic nations have been competitive in the past, they are expected to be even stronger this time around.
Team Norway’s father-son partnership of Petter and Oliver Solberg will be hoping to keep their status of reigning champions in tact.
Meanwhile, Team Finland will see Mika Hakkinen and Valtteri Bottas line-up alongside each other.
Mick and Vettel had a great relationship while the two were competing on the F1 grid.
A big part of their relationship stems from the fact that Sebastian idolised Mick’s father Michael while growing up and saw him as a mentor during the early part of his F1 career.
With plenty of criticism surrounding Mick’s performances at Haas, it was often Vettel who came to his defence and spoke highly of his inherent talent.
After it was confirmed that both drivers will unite at the ROC, Mick seemed thrilled.
“It‘s great to be back at the Race Of Champions and to see all the drivers again,” Mick said.
“Even better that Sebastian will be competing too, so that Team Germany can hopefully live up to the tradition of fighting for the title in the ROC Nations Cup.
“I’m really looking forward to driving on ice again, and to spending time and fighting battles with this impressive roster of drivers attending.”
Vettel, meanwhile, was quick to admit that he is enthuisastic about competing at a racing event following his decision to retire from F1.
“I’m delighted that Mick will be joining me at the Race Of Champions again – for my first race since my retirement from Formula 1,” Vettel said.
“Neither of us has much experience on snow and ice so it was a steep learning curve in Sweden earlier this year.
“I ended up surprising myself by getting to the individual final against Sébastien Loeb.
“Now I can’t wait to come back and team up with Mick to see if we can take Team Germany all the way to another ROC Nations Cup title.”
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