In 2004, young Heikki Kovalainen captured the attention of the world when he beat seven-time world champion Michael Schumacher in the Race of Champions. This year, the young Finn is looking to repeat his performance as he is confirmed to participate in the event. Last year, the Formula One driver narrowly missed winning the individual championship but won with fellow Finn Marcus Gronholm in the team competition.
"Beating Michael was a very nice thing for me," said Kovy. That time, he had recently won the World Series by Nissan. "I remember watching him race against Ayrton Senna when I was still in karts so to beat him on a level playing field was quite unbelievable and the reaction from all the fans in the stadium when I climbed on the roof of the car was incredible!"
This year, the Race of Champions will be held at the Wembley Stadium and the Finn is looking forward to the event with much gusto. "Driving so close to so many fans creates a very special atmosphere and I’m really looking forward to race in Wembley Stadium," said the Finn. "Last year I lost in the half-finals by just 0,002 seconds against Sweden’s Mattias Ekström who went on to win The Race of Champions, so I’m really motivated to try to take back the title I won in 2004."
The Race of Champions is a very prestigious event as the best drivers in the world from different motorsports come together to find out who will be crowned the Champion of Champions. Drivers from Formula One, World Rally Championship, and NASCAR Nextel Cup will be representing their countries come December 18.
"Winning for your nation is something very rare in motorsport," said Heikki. "It’s great to represent Finland who has so many great drivers and motorsport is so popular. We will do everything we can do defend the title for Finland together with Marcus."
Aside from Kovy, the Race of Champions will also welcome seven-time Formula One world champ Michael Schumacher, Honda’s Jenson Button, World Touring Car champ Andy Priaulx, Red Bull Racing’s David Coulthard, triple Champ Car champ Sebastien Bourdais, seven-time 24 Hours of Le Mans winner Tom Kristensen, former DTM champ Mattias Ekstrom, Nextel Cup champ Jimmie Johnson, eight-time X-Games gold medalist Travis Pastrana, and double World Rally champ Marcus Gronholm. Sadly, former World Rally Champion Colin McRae passed away thus making the event lose one of its stars. I hope they would dedicate this year’s event to the memory of Colin.
The driver to watch here in my point of view is Pastrana. He has shown that he has the ability to win over veteran four-wheeled car drivers. Last year, he competed alone for the United States as Johnson was injured and his replacement Scott Speed was also sidelined due to injuries.