Mattias Ekstrom joined Didier Auriol and Sebastien Loeb as a four-time winner of the Race of Champions, the local hero defeating in Sunday’s final in Pite Havsbad in Sweden worthy challenger Mick Schumacher.

Ekstrom enjoyed a dominant 2-0 victory against the Mercedes F1 reserve driver, but Schumacher – whose father Michael Schumacher was defeated twice by the Swede in the ROC, in 2007 and 2009 – acquitted himself well on the icy track.

Ekstrom reached the final by dispatching Extreme E charger Johan Kristofferson and WRC winner Thierry Neuville, the former DTM champion surviving a fiery second heat when smoke was seen billowing from the central console of his car.

©ROC

Schumacher’s run to the final began with a compelling win over fellow F1 reserve Felipe Drugovich which set up an all-German semi-heat against the former Haas charger’s mentor and good friend Sebastian Vettel.

The four-time world champion hoped to gain access to the final for a second year running, but his Schumacher had the last word.

In the earlier rounds, flying Finns Mika Hakkinen and Valtteri Bottas failed to take off, with both drivers eliminated at the outset just as they had been on Saturday in the Nations Cup, at the hands of Drugovic and Le Mans legend Tom Kristensen respectively.

Great-Britain’s representatives Jamie Chadwick and David Coulthard failed to survive the quarter finals, the Williams development driver suffering a defat against Vettel while the Scot was knocked out by France’s Adrien Tambay.

Keep up to date with all the F1 news via Facebook and Twitter

Phillip van Osten

Motor racing was a backdrop from the outset in Phillip van Osten's life. Born in Southern California, Phillip grew up with the sights and sounds of fast cars thanks to his father, Dick van Osten, an editor and writer for Auto Speed and Sport and Motor Trend. Phillip's passion for racing grew even more when his family moved to Europe and he became acquainted with the extraordinary world of Grand Prix racing. He was an early contributor to the monthly French F1i Magazine, often providing a historic or business perspective on Formula 1's affairs. In 2012, he co-authored along with fellow journalist Pierre Van Vliet the English-language adaptation of a limited edition book devoted to the great Belgian driver Jacky Ickx. He also authored "The American Legacy in Formula 1", a book which recounts the trials and tribulations of American drivers in Grand Prix racing. Phillip is also a commentator for Belgian broadcaster Be.TV for the US Indycar series.

Recent Posts

Aston Martin says performance shortfall led to Fallows exit

Aston Martin performance director Tom McCullough has shed some light on why the team’s former…

5 hours ago

FIA clamps down on plank loophole after Red Bull complaint

The FIA has issued a pivotal Technical Directive to F1 teams ahead of this weekend’s…

6 hours ago

F1 drivers blindsided by race director Wittich’s sudden exit

The abrupt removal last week of FIA race director Niels Wittich with just three races…

8 hours ago

McLaren relaxes ‘papaya rules’: Norris and Piastri free to race

Oscar Piastri has confirmed that McLaren’s team orders—dubbed the "Papaya Rules"—have been largely relaxed, giving…

9 hours ago

Cheers to the forever young pure racer Jacques Laffite

The forever young Jacques Laffite turns 81 today, but the years haven't aged this pure…

10 hours ago

Las Vegas GP: Wednesday's build-up in pictures

The neon lights of Las Vegas are set to illuminate the Formula 1 world once…

11 hours ago