Tom Kristensen and Johan Kristoffersson return to defend Race of Champions title

Race of Champions

Kristensen and Kristoffersson return to defend Race of Champions title

Team Nordic won the Nations Cup in 2019

Sam Hall

Thursday 11 February 2021 13:57

Le Mans legend Tom Kristensen and three-time World Rallycross champion Johan Kristoffersson will return to defend Team Nordic's crown at the Race of Champions.

First contested in 1999, the RoC has featured drivers from multiple disciplines of motorsport, including Formula 1, the World Endurance Championship and World Rally Championship.

After what will be a three-year hiatus due to Covid-19, the event returns next year in Sweden at a venue just 60 miles from the Arctic Circle.

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Given the location, Team Nordic is the first to announce its driver pairing, with Kristensen and Kristoffersson again teaming up to defend the title they won in 2019 in Mexico City.

"ROC is a special event," said nine-time Le Mans winner Kristensen. "It is a fun event. As a driver, it is very competitive and it draws you in.

"You line up against champions from very different disciplines and championship series, and each track has its own challenges.

'I have competed in ROC all over the world, including on the gravel in Gran Canaria and asphalt at iconic stadiums like the Bird’s Nest in Beijing and Wembley Stadium in London.

"Surely the ice and snow will suit the rally guys, but the track will be very fast, and I like that."

Team Sweden has also revealed its two drivers, with 2003 WRC and two-time WRX champion Petter Solberg and his talented 19-year-old son Oliver joining forces.

Next year's event will utilise electric vehicles, with a large focus placed on sustainability.

Solberg Sr. said: "We are looking forward to getting back into real cars and racing on the ice.

"I've seen the footage from testing, the track and the setting look great. We look forward to knowing more about the equipment for this event.

"The move to include electric cars will be a big development for ROC, and also could be a challenge for some drivers."