Felipe Massa joins the field for 2017 Race of Champions


October 25, 2016
Featured, News
Marijan Malcevic


  • Felipe Massa (BRA) in the KTM X-Bow at Race of Champions
  • Felipe Massa

Brazilian Formula 1 star Felipe Massa has joined the drivers line-up for the 2017 Race of Champions at Miami’s Marlins Park on January 21-22. Massa’s participation in the first ever ROC event on the American soil would be his fourth visit to the Race of Champions. In January 2017, Massa will be a former F1 driver, as he announced a retirement at the end of 2016 Formula One season.

Massa debuted at the Race of Champions in 2004 at the Stade de France in Paris. He partnered Tony Kanaan to the ROC Nations Cup semi-finals for Team Brazil. Massa returned to Paris the following year and also raced last November in London’s Olympic Stadium.

Felipe Massa

Felipe Massa

“It’s a fantastic pleasure for me to participate in the Race Of Champions for another year. 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”, Massa said.

Other drivers who already confirmed 2017 ROC participation are Tony Kanaan, Juan Pablo Montoya, Ryan Hunter-Reay, Tom Kristensen, Peter Solberg, Sebastian Vettel, Travis Pastrana and Kurt Busch. More big names will be announced soon.

In the two-day ROC event at Miami’s Marlins Park, first comes the Race Of Champions itself (on Saturday, January 21) featuring a flat-out battle for individual glory. Then on Sunday, January 22, comes the ROC Nations Cup when drivers pair up in teams based on nationality.

Photos: raceofchampions.com

Related Posts