Massa joins Vettel in Race of Champions line-up

Williams' Felipe Massa will make his fourth Race of Champions appearance at next year’s Miami event held on January 21-22.

The Brazilian will join fellow F1 driver Sebastian Vettel in a star-studded field that also includes the likes of former grand prix winner Juan-Pablo Montoya, Le Mans 24 Hours record-winner Tom Kristensen and world rally and rallycross champion Petter Solberg.

Massa, who will retire from F1 at the end of the current campaign, first visited ROC in 2004 at Paris' Stade de France where he partnered compatriot Tony Kanaan, who will also return to the event in 2017.

The 11-time grand prix winner also took part in the all-champions gathering in 2005, as well as during last year’s London contest.

“It’s a fantastic pleasure for me to participate in the Race Of Champions for another year,” Massa said. “The event is a big challenge and it’s a great idea to have a race with the best drivers from all the different motor sport categories.

“I look forward to meeting up with my old friend and fellow countryman Tony Kanaan. In 2004 in Paris we made up a very good combination: he beat Sébastien Loeb and I beat Michael Schumacher until we were both given penalties for touching the guard rails too much…

“The atmosphere is special at the Race Of Champions too: you’re in the middle of the grandstands so you can hear all the fans and they can see all the corners. It’s a great feeling and great enjoyment for everyone. Even better it’s in Miami, which is one of my favourite places and somewhere I’ve always enjoyed going for holidays.

“So it’s a perfect combination and I’m really looking forward to it, especially to starting my new life after retirement!”

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