Race of Champions will make its New Zealand debut at Wellington’s Hnry Stadium on 9‑10 January 2027, assembling four high‑profile drivers for a head‑to‑head showdown.
Elite Lineup Highlights
Four‑time Formula 1 world champion Sebastian Vettel anchors the field. Vettel has competed in every ROC event since 2007, missing only two, and has lifted the Nations’ Cup six consecutive times from 2007 to 2012 alongside Michael Schumacher, and again in 2017 with Pascal Wehrlein. His crowning moment came in 2015 when he claimed the main contest in London.
Current F1 star Valtteri Bottas joins at his third ROC appearance. Bottas, a ten‑time Grand Prix winner now driving for Cadillac, brings experience across the world’s premier championship.
Sculpting a balanced mix of circuit and off‑road prowess is 2025 Supercars champion Chaz Mostert, who made his ROC debut in the Australian event last year, and New Zealand rally icon Hayden Paddon, a one‑time WRC rally winner and local hero.
Vettel’s Vision for New Zealand
“Before ROC Sydney I went for a 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.”
Paddon Celebrates Motorsport’s Golden Age
“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, that attracts so many of the biggest stars from all around the world.”
He added, “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. It’s really a historic event for so many reasons, and I’m personally incredibly proud to be a part of it.”
What to Expect
The event will feature identical vehicles, ensuring that skill and strategy dominate over equipment advantages. With the international field converging in Wellington, fans can expect a collision of racing styles and world‑class talent in the heart of New Zealand’s sporting landscape.
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