Solbergs conquer F1 contingent at Race of Champions

Formula 1 drivers past and present were put in their place by Norway in the Race of Champions Nations Cup team competition in Sweden.

Although Valtteri Bottas was a late withdrawal due to “other commitments” that had arisen, F1 was still represented by Sebastian Vettel and Mick Schumacher from the current grid and former McLaren team-mates Mika Hakkinen and David Coulthard.

But after Vettel had struggled from the outset, losing his first heat against sim racer Lucas Blakeley, it was father-son rallying duo Petter and Oliver Solberg who took the title for Norway, beating surprise package the United States in the final.

IndyCar driver Colton Herta, who was linked with a move to F1 last year amid talk of a Michael Andretti buyout of Alfa Romeo that nearly happened, partnered NASCAR legend Jimmie Johnson in the American team.

A week ago, Herta was winning the very different discipline of the Daytona 24 Hours, and this represented a complete contrast as he tackled an ice track created on the frozen Baltic Sea, just 60 miles from the Arctic Circle, in a selection of four different vehicles.

In the final, the United States were on the back foot from the moment Johnson’s engine cut out in heat one and they eventually lost 3-1 to the Solbergs.

History at #ROCSweden!

Father and son duo @Petter_Solberg and @OliverSolberg01 are bringing the ROC Nations Cup to Norway!

It's a ROC debut win for Oliver, and a second Nations Cup for Petter. But you can imagine which win will mean the most.