Coulthard added to Race of Champions bill

Ex-F1 star David Coulthard wants to take the big prize at the Race of Champions event this year.

23 Oct 2009

Former F1 star David Coulthard says he is looking forward to competing against a list of motorsport greats including Michael Schumacher and new F1 World champion Jenson Button after it was confirmed that he will take part in The Race of Champions at Beijing in two weeks' time.

The 13-time grand prix winner finished as runner-up in the 2008 event after a closely fought head-to-head battle with World Rally champion S?bastien Loeb at Wembley Stadium. Now he believes that he can go one better this year, despite not having raced for 12 months.

"The Race of Champions is always a bit of fun to end the season, but after coming so close to winning it last year, this time I'll only really be happy if I go away with the big prize," said the Scot.

"Having the chance to race the newly crowned F1 world champion will be additional motivation to dust off my helmet and focus on trying to win overall."

As well as The Race of Champions, where racers battle for individual glory, Coulthard will compete as part of an All-Stars team in The ROC Nations Cup, alongside 2009 Dakar Rally winner Giniel de Villiers.

de Villiers, also a multiple touring car champion in his native South Africa, is excited about the prospect of competing in The Race of Champions.

"I'm very delighted to have been invited to this prestigious event," said de Villiers, who won the Dakar at the wheel of a Volkswagen Race Touareg. "To be competing alongside most of the world's best drivers is going to be a big honour and challenge that I'm sure I will never forget. It's also an event that's run for a great cause and I am very happy to be associated with an event like this!"

Fredrik Johnsson, of event organisers IMP, said of the All-Stars team: "David has been competing in The Race of Champions for several years, and he's a great character. He's the kind of person who's not only quick on the track but also a big hit with the fans, and that's one of the things that makes the event great.

"As for Giniel, the winner of the toughest rally raid in the world, he's shown that his driving is of the highest calibre, and it will be exciting to see how his driving style adapts to racing inside the Bird's Nest stadium."