By Scarlet Bringuenti Bennett, Contributing Reporter
RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL – Former Formula E champion Lucas Di Grassi and Indy Car legend, Hélio Castroneves are joining forces to form the Brazilian dream team for the next Race of Champions (ROC), which is set to be held in Mexico next month on January 19th.
The Race Of Champions is an annual contest which has a history dating back thirty years. It brings together many of the world’s greatest drivers from motorsport’s major disciplines.
Drivers from Formula 1, NASCAR, IndyCar, Le Mans, World Rally and RallyX gives these racers the chance to display their talents in a head-to-head battle in identical vehicles.
Brazil’s Castroneves has won the Indianapolis 500 three times with thirty IndyCar victories, finishing four times as runner-up overall in the series.
Di Grassi, meanwhile, secured the title of the third season in Formula E, and in the 2017/18 season he teamed with Daniel Abt to win the Constructors title for Audi.
“The Race of Champions is a great event that gives us a chance to race in different places and different cultures, so it’s a great honor to be invited again,” said Castroneves to F1 Mania. “The cool thing about this event is that every driver has a chance, no matter what they are accustomed to competing in.”
Big racers are set to compete in next months competition, including: Sebastian Vettel, Tom Kristensen, David Coulthard, Johan Kristoffersson and F1 legend Michael Schumacher as well as many MotoGP champions.
Di Grassi told F1 Mania: “I’m very excited to be making my debut in the Race of Champions, finally I have been following the event for many years and have always been impressed by the wide range of riders competing from around the world and all motor racing categories.
Di Grassi added in the interview, “Now I’m happy to have the chance to see and feel how this works for the first time – and especially to be Helio’s partner in Team Brazil.”
The race runs over two days, starting January 19th and finishing January 20th. The drivers teams are based on nationality to fight for the title of the title of ‘World’s Fastest Nation.’ Whichever team is champion will battle it out for individual glory the next day, and any hint of teamwork is put to bed for that moment.
Di Grassi told ROC News, “The Foro Sol is a fantastic venue with an incredible atmosphere – as I found when I won the Mexico City ePrix there last year – so it’s going to be an awesome weekend. If you want to see some of the world’s best drivers pushing to the limit in an enclosed space, come and see us.”
Ticket prices start at just $1,450 pesos (R$148.90) for two days of non-stop action. Further details about the field of drivers will be announced in the run-up to January’s event.