The Race Of Champions is heading to New Zealand for the first time, with the inaugural event scheduled for January 9-10, 2027, at Wellington’s Hnry Stadium. The first four drivers have now been confirmed, bringing together championship-winning experience from Formula 1, Supercars and the World Rally Championship for one of motorsport’s unique multi-discipline events.
Key Highlights
- Sebastian Vettel headlines the first ROC lineup for the event’s New Zealand debut in January 2027.
- The four-time F1 world champion has won the Nations’ Cup seven times and the individual ROC title once.
- Valtteri Bottas, Chaz Mostert and Hayden Paddon complete the initial four-driver lineup.
- The Race Of Champions will take place at Wellington’s Hnry Stadium on January 9-10, 2027.
Vettel Leads ROC Lineup
Leading the initial lineup is Sebastian Vettel, the four-time Formula 1 world champion and one of the Race Of Champions’ most experienced competitors. Vettel has participated in all but two ROC events since 2007. He won the Nations’ Cup six consecutive times from 2007 to 2012 alongside Michael Schumacher, before adding another victory with Pascal Wehrlein in 2017. He also claimed the individual Race Of Champions title in London in 2015.
The German’s connection with New Zealand also runs deeper than the announcement itself. Vettel revealed that he visited the country briefly before ROC Sydney and was so impressed by its scenery that he jokingly asked organisers to bring the event there. He will now get the opportunity to return and compete against champions from around the world while exploring more of New Zealand.
Bottas, Mostert and Paddon Join Vettel
Vettel will be joined by current Formula 1 driver Valtteri Bottas, who will represent Cadillac at the event. The 10-time Grand Prix winner is set to make his third Race Of Champions appearance, adding F1 experience to the growing field.
The lineup also features 2025 Supercars champion Chaz Mostert, who made his ROC debut at the previous event in Australia in the same year.
Completing the first wave of announcements is home favourite Hayden Paddon, the New Zealander and one-time WRC rally winner. His inclusion gives local fans a driver to support while adding rallying experience to the diverse lineup.
Photo by: Hyundai
Paddon Welcomes Historic NZ Event
Paddon described the arrival of the Race Of Champions as a major moment for New Zealand motorsport, pointing to what he sees as a golden age across multiple disciplines in the country.
The Kiwi driver also highlighted the unique opportunity for local fans to see stars from F1, WRC, circuit racing and other forms of motorsport competing against one another in equal machinery.
With the event taking place inside one of New Zealand’s most recognisable sports stadiums, Paddon called it a historic occasion and said he was “incredibly proud” to be part of the inaugural New Zealand edition.
More Champions Set to Join the Field
With four drivers already confirmed, the Race Of Champions has established a lineup spanning multiple motorsport disciplines ahead of its New Zealand debut.
Vettel’s extensive ROC experience, Bottas’ F1 background, Mostert’s Supercars credentials and Paddon’s rallying pedigree offer an early glimpse of the cross-discipline competition expected at Hnry Stadium on January 9-10, 2027.
