Valtteri Bottas will be flying the Finnish flag along with countryman Mika Häkkinen in the 2023 edition of the Race of Champions at Sweden’s Pite Havsbad on January 28/29.
Bottas will be making his debut in the popular winter event that pits drivers from several nations and a multitude of categories against each other in the knockout competition.
The Alfa Romeo F1 driver was scheduled to participate in the 2022 event in Sweden at the start of the year, but was forced to pull out at the last hour.
©ROCSweden
"I’m really looking forward to being able to make my Race Of Champions debut at last," said Bottas, who enjoys the odd rally outing every season.
"I’ve watched the event on TV for many years and I came so close to competing last year until I had to pull out at the last minute.
"It was tough watching everyone having so much fun throwing their cars around on the snow and ice in Sweden, so I’m glad I will now be joining them at Pite Havsbad in January.
"I’m also thrilled to be able to partner Mika for Team Finland in the ROC Nations Cup. I have become good friends with Mika over the years, but it will be a special treat to be able to race alongside him.
"We’ve both taken part in the Arctic Rally a few times so hopefully that can help us beat our Nordic neighbours – and everyone else.
"Then we’ll have to put our friendship aside again and try to beat each other in the individual Race Of Champions."
As a reminder, RoC regular Sebastian Vettel will kick off his retirement from F1 with a run in the event in Pite Havsbad where he finished runner-up to Sebastien Loeb last time out.
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