Brazil confirm ROC line-up

ByEurosport

Published 03/11/2005 at 13:31 GMT

Birthplace of some of motor racing's greatest champions, Brazil has confirmed Sauber Formula 1 star Felipe Massa and GP2 Series driver Nelson Piquet Jr as their line-up for the 2005 Race of Champions – Nations Cup which takes place in Paris on Saturday December 3.

Felipe Massa rounded off his strong season in F1 this year with 6 place in October's Chinese GP, his final race before switching in 2006 to Ferrari where he will join Michael Schumacher, the man he defeated on Brazil's way to the top four in last year's RoC – Nations Cup.

"I am very happy and proud to represent Brazil in the Race of Champions," said Felipe. "After having finished the F1 season on a high, I am looking forward to defending our colours alongside Nelsinho against some of the best drivers in the world and, above all, to providing the best show possible for the fans who deserve a great race."

"I am really looking forward to December's Race of Champions," added Nelson Piquet Jr., affectionately known as 'Nelsinho' and one of the leading names of this year's inaugural GP2 Series, widely seen as the ante-chamber to F1.

Race of Champions

Loeb wins Race of Champions

04/12/2005 at 06:52

"I will be making up a young Brazilian team together with Felipe Massa and I am really keen to do well. I have never driven any special cars like this before so it will be a new experience. There are a lot of great drivers who have taken part in the past, and it will be great to compete against some of them this year."

The other national teams already announced for the annual clash of motor sport stars are Finland, France, Great Britain and the USA.

Race of Champions