Sebastian Vettel will not wait for long before getting back behind the wheel of a race car after retiring from Formula 1.
The four-time world champion's career in the sport will come to an end in just two months' time. The Italian Grand Prix last weekend was his final F1 race in Europe, and he has just six more left now until he steps away to begin the next chapter of his life.
Vettel has regularly used his platform to campaign on environmental topics, so no doubt he will continue to do that going forward. And when explaining his decision to quit F1, he also cited a desire to spend more time with his wife and young children.
With that in mind, he said he would not be committing to another race series with a demanding calendar. But there is little danger of him walking away from motorsport altogether – and he has already confirmed his first event after retiring from F1.
The Race of Champions will return for 2023, and Vettel's name is one of those already announced for the event. He has represented Team Germany on many occasions before, and will do so once again at the end of January in Sweden.
Last year he reached the individual final, only to lose out to rallying legend Sebastien Loeb. "I can't think of a better place for my first race after I retire from Formula 1 than the Race of Champions," said the 35-year-old.
"This will be my 11th appearance, and I keep coming back because it's a special event, and so much fun. I don't have much experience of racing on snow and ice, so it made for a steep learning curve in Sweden earlier this year – and a very pleasant surprise to reach the individual final against Sebastien Loeb.
"Now I can't wait to come back and give ROC-style ice racing another try and hopefully help Team Germany win another ROC Nations Cup title." He will be joined by double F1 world champion Mika Hakkinen, who will race at the event for a second time having thoroughly enjoyed his debut earlier this year.
Defending team champions Petter and Oliver Solberg, representing Norway, will also be driving, as will rallying champion Johan Kristoffersson while W Series star Jamie Chadwick will be one of the British hopefuls. More drivers will be announced by the organisers in due course.
