Michael Schumacher looking to have fun at Race of Champions

By on Wednesday, December 12, 2012

Michael Schumacher will take part in the 25th edition of the Race Of Champions which will be held at Bangkok's Rajamangala Stadium this weekend.

Even if he has yet to take part in any kind of motorsports in Thailand, Schumacher is looking forward to experiencig something new and to race once again in ROC.

"It’s a great event, full of spectacle for the spectators and fun for us drivers. It is like a computer game turned into reality. The atmosphere both in the stadium and in the driver’s area is so cool everybody just enjoys his time," said Schumacher.

The seven-time F1 world champion made his ROC début in 2004 but has failed to win the individual competition. He twice reached the final in 2007 and 2009 and on both occasions lost the ‘Champion of Champions’ title to the two-time DTM champion Mattias Ekström.

"Once you race you want to win. We are all competitive guys, we are all quite successful, so obviously you want to do well. But then, the Race of Champions is no official race which counts for an official title, so losing there is not that painful as in your normal life. Yes, it would be cool to win the single competition too – but then this weekend is also about fun", Schumacher added.

The ex-Mercedes driver will again partner triple F1 champion Sebastian Vettel as the pair seek a sixth ROC Nations Cup triumph for Team Germany. The last two wins came in front of their home crowd at the Düsseldorf Arena in 2010 and 2011. Despite his retirement from F1 Michael Schumacher said the 2012 Race of Champions is unlikely to be his last.

Besides the two German legends, this year’s attendees include Lotus racer Romain Grosjean, former F1 winner David Coulthard, WRC star and reigning ROC ‘Champion of Champions’ Sébastien Ogier as well as eight time Le Mans winner Tom Kristensen

Three times WTCC champion Andy Priaulx, double MotoGP champion Jorge Lorenzo and five times 500cc champion Mick Doohan will also compete in Thailand

This year the competitors will drive race-prepared versions of Audi R8 LMS, VW Scirocco, Lamborghini Gallardo Super Trofeo and Toyota GT86, as well as the ROC car, the KTM X-Bow and the Euro Racecar.

ROC 2012 will take place on a specially constructed tarmac track with two parallel lanes winding their way round Bangkok’s Rajamangala Stadium. Drivers pair up for the ROC Nations Cup, this year scheduled for Saturday 15 December, ahead of the individual Race Of Champions on Sunday 16 December.


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