Sebastian Vettel 'blown away' as major motorsport event reveals fresh location

The 2027 Race of Champions will be held in New Zealand for the first time in its history, with Wellington's Hnry Stadium set to host the event across January 9-10. Sebastian Vettel is returning again, and was "blown away" by the country's beauty.

The stadium, formerly known as Westpac Stadium and colloquially referred to as the "Cake Tin", will have its natural grass pitch transformed into a temporary asphalt circuit for the occasion. 

The venue, which seats approximately 34,500, has never before staged a motorsport event of this scale.

Oceania only entered the Race of Champions calendar in 2025, when Sydney hosted the event for the first time. New Zealand's turn has been secured through the government's Events Attraction Package, with the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment (MBIE) backing the event as part of a push to boost domestic and international visitation.

Four-time Formula 1 world champion Vettel has been confirmed among the headline names for Wellington, returning to the event after his appearance at last year's edition in Sydney.

The German revealed that his own visit to New Zealand ahead of ROC Sydney played a part in the country landing the event.

"Before ROC Sydney I went for a first quick visit to New Zealand and was blown away by the beauty of the country, so I told the organisers jokingly can you pls bring the next ROC to New Zealand," he said.

"I am really looking forward to competing against so many other Champions from across the globe at the Race Of Champions in Wellington in January and get a chance to visit more of New Zealand."

Valtteri Bottas returns once again in off-season boost

Alongside Vettel, Cadillac F1 driver Valtteri Bottas has also been confirmed for Wellington, along with two-time Bathurst 1000 winner Chaz Mostert and rally star Hayden Paddon. 

Mostert arrives as the reigning 2025 Supercars champion and was runner-up at ROC Sydney last year, beating both Bottas and Vettel before losing the individual final to Sébastien Loeb.

Paddon brings a rally résumé that includes a World Rally Championship victory at the 2016 Rally Argentina and back-to-back European Rally Championship titles in 2023 and 2024. 

Organisers have said further names will be announced in the coming weeks, with the full entry list yet to be finalised.

ROC president Fredrik Johnsson said the event's arrival in New Zealand had been driven by the depth of local talent and enthusiasm for motorsport in the country.

Bottas, who competed at ROC Sydney last year, said he was eager to return to the event during the off-season.

"Race Of Champions is such a special and exciting event and I'm so happy that it's back again," the Finn said.

"I can't wait to compete in Wellington, New Zealand, with all the other drivers from different categories, racing on the same track, in different types of cars, which makes ROC really spectator friendly. 

"ROC New Zealand is going to be another exciting race with great atmosphere both for us drivers and the fans. Also personally I feel it's really good to drive something during the off-season and there is no better place to do it than at ROC, so I'm really looking forward to January!"