In what turned out to be a shocking event, Lotus Renault F1 driver Romain Grosjean was able to beat the world’s best at the annual Race of Champions. The event was held in Bangkok Thailand this year and featured the best racing talent from around the globe. Names like Vettel, Schumacher, Ogier, Hunter-Reay and Kristensen were all there to compete and find out who the best of the best is.
Grosjean defeated 2012 IZOD IndyCar Champion Ryan Hunter-Reay in group D competition early on. His next challenge was fellow Formula 1 driver and now three times defending champion Sebastian Vettel. Problems for Vettel seen Grosjean move on to the semi-finals against Michael Schumacher. After defeating the seven time F1 champion, it was on to the finals where he would sweep Tom Kristensen to take the overall Champion of Champions trophy. A huge result for Grosjean at the end of a season he would choose to forget.
Grosjean was the subject of much controversy in 2012 for his on circuit contact with other cars. He even served a one race suspension following his part in the massive accident at the start of the Belgian Grand Prix. Grosjean has yet to be confirmed at Lotus Renault for the 2013 season, but reports currently have the negotiations going forward with some saying Grosjean could be confirmed this week to rejoin teammate Kimi Raikkonen.
This was the second straight overall Champion of Champions winner from France. Last year seen French WRC sensation Sebastien Ogier take top honors. The two French drivers made it to the finals of the Nation Cup, but lost out to Team Germany who claimed their sixth straight Race of Champions with Sebastian Vettel and Michael Schumacher at the wheel. Both Schumacher and Vettel won every race on Saturday including the finals against Ogier and Grosjean.
The Race of Champions was featured in Thailand this year as the host nation looks to be added to the Formula 1 calendar in 2014.
