Paddock GP #261 previews the return of Formula 1 to the United States
With the 2022 Nations Cup scheduled for February, already the team is gearing up for the Finland grid. Valtteri Bottas, a Mercedes driver moving to Alfa Romeo, joins Mika Hkkinen, two-time Formula 1 champion in 1998 and 1999, to compete in the traditional race, which will take place in the Swedish city of Pitia. In addition, the Finns will face each other in the individual competition of the main event of the event, the Race of Champions.
“I became very good friends with Mika. [Häkkinen], so I am very happy to have him represent Finland in the Nations Cup as my partner,” said the Turkish GP winner. “But of course we have to try to beat ourselves in the individual races. It will be interesting to the public, whoever wins,” Bottas said.
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Hkkinen engaged in an intense rivalry with Michael Schumacher in the late 1990s (Photo: Reproduction)
The event will see participation from other motorsport stars, with more to be announced in the coming months. Other Formula 1 personalities, such as Sebastian Vettel – in partnership with Michael Schumacher – Romain Grosjean and David Coulthard have already won the Race of Champions and the Cup of Nations. Hkkinen highlighted F1’s differences and said he would need training to end the controversy in a good position.
“I am very happy to race again and finally be able to compete in the Race of Champions. It will be very different from racing in Formula 1, but I love the competition and it is fantastic to ride in the snow. I Try to practice at home in northern Finland before the event,” he remarked.
Participants will need to prove their mettle in a variety of cars such as the Porsche 718 Cayman GT4 Clubsport, the supercar light rally vehicle and the FIA RX2e, an all-electric car.
