27 January 2023 , 12:00
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Formula 1 champions Sebastian Vettel and Mika Hakkinen are among the swathe of famous faces taking part in the Race of Champions this year.
More than two months on from the end of the 2022 F1 season, we're all aching to see stars of the track back in action. While there are a few more weeks to go until testing and the Bahrain Grand Prix, racing fans can catch a glimpse of a couple of their favourites as soon as this weekend.
This will be the 32nd edition of the popular annual racing event, which brings together top drivers from many different motorsports and pits them against each other in equal machinery. Nine teams will take part this year, with two drivers each.
Here's everything you need to know about the event:
When and where is Race of Champions 2023?
The 32nd edition of Race of Champions will take place over two consecutive days, beginning on Saturday, January 28. The first day will see the ROC Nations Cup take place, with teams battling out to be declared the World's Fastest Nation. Sunday's action sees drivers compete individually to win the Champion of Champions crown.
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For the second year in a row, the event will take place on a course made of snow and ice in Pite Havsbad, Sweden. Located just 60 miles south of the Arctic Circle, it will test the drivers' resilience in harsh weather conditions as well as their racing abilities.
How can I watch Race of Champions 2023?
Tickets were sold for the event so some racing fans will be watching in person. But if standing around on the frozen Baltic Sea didn't appeal to you, the good news is you can still take in all the action from the comfort – and warmth – of your living room.
The Race of Champions returns to the frozen Baltic Sea in northern Sweden, near the Arctic Circle (Getty Images)The event begins with the sim competition, with the virtual action taking place on Friday 27th. Both that competition, and the pre-event press conference for the Race of Champions, will be broadcast live and exclusively on the Race of Champions YouTube channel.
The real life racing will take place between 11am and 2pm UK time on both days, broadcast live on Sky Sports F1. Organisers have published a country-by-country guide of how to watch for those who plan on watching from a different country.
Who is taking part in Race of Champions 2023?
Team GB will again be represented by former F1 star David Coulthard and triple W Series champion Jamie Chadwick. They will hope to fare better than they did in 2022, when they lost to Finland in the Nations Cup quarter-finals and were both knocked out of the individual competition in the first round – thought Chadwick did beat Mick Schumacher in the preliminary round.
Jamie Chadwick represents Team GB alongside David Coulthard (PA)Schumacher returns to represent Germany and once again partners Vettel in what will be one of the more popular teams among fans. Vettel was the 2022 runner-up and won the 2015 edition in London, and is a seven-time teams champion – including six in a row with Michael Schumacher between 2007 and 2012. It will be Vettel's first racing appearance since his F1 retirement.
Finland are also fielding famous F1 faces, with double world champion Hakkinen partnering Alfa Romeo racer Valtteri Bottas. Formula 2 champion and Aston Martin reserve Felipe Drugovich will make his Race of Champions debut, representing an 'All Stars' team alongside Belgian rally star Thierry Neuville.
Valtteri Bottas is the only active F1 driver taking part this year (Getty Images)Sebastian Loeb, the World Rally Championship's most successful ever driver, once again represents France as he defends his Race of Champions title, partnering Adrien Tambay. Father and son duo Petter and Oliver Solberg won the 2022 Nations Cup and are back again this year, representing Norway.
Rounding off the line-up are Swedish duo Mattias Ekstrom and Johan Kristoffersson, racing on home snow; Travis Pastrana and Tanner Foust representing Team USA; and a 'Nordic' team made up of IndyCar racer Felix Rosenqvist and Le Mans legend Tom Kristensen.