Vettel leads four-driver lineup for Race of Champions' inaugural New Zealand event in 2027

Sebastian Vettel will headline the Race of Champions’ first-ever New Zealand event, with organisers confirming the four-time Formula 1 world champion as the marquee name in an initial four-driver lineup for the Wellington fixture scheduled for 9-10 January 2027 at Hnry Stadium.

Vettel has been a near-permanent fixture at the Race of Champions since 2007, missing only two editions. The German dominated the Nations’ Cup for six consecutive years between 2007 and 2012 alongside Michael Schumacher, claimed it again in 2017 with Pascal Wehrlein, and won the individual contest in London in 2015. His enthusiasm for the host country appears personal as much as professional.

“Before ROC Sydney I went for a first quick 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 said. “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 competing for Cadillac, who will be making only his third Race of Champions appearance. Chaz Mostert, the 2025 Supercars champion who made his ROC debut at that year’s Australian event, adds touring car representation to the field.

The fourth confirmed entry is New Zealand’s own Hayden Paddon, a WRC rally winner and Hyundai factory driver, who will carry home-crowd expectations into the stadium-based competition.

“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.”

Paddon framed the occasion as a landmark moment for domestic motorsport fans. “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,” he added.

Further driver announcements for the Wellington event are expected ahead of the January 2027 date.