Formula One veteran David Coulthard captured his second Race Of Champions title Saturday in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
The British driver, a 13-time F1 race winner, defeated two-time World Rallycross champion Petter Solberg in the final round at King Fahad International Stadium.
Coulthard also won the 2014 ROC.
It was Solberg’s first time in the ROC finals.
.@therealdcf1 on his #ROCRiyadh win: "I'm as surprised as you are!" pic.twitter.com/c5lgq1ovZ8
— Race Of Champions (@RaceOfChampions) February 3, 2018
When you go to cover a competition and your boss @therealdcf1 wins! Chow Saudi, it’s been a hoot! #flyingscotsman #rocriyadh pic.twitter.com/lSqvZ7toN2
— Kirstie Bennett (@kirtb) February 3, 2018
It’s called racing respect, pleasure to race against @Petter_Solberg https://t.co/jecfb4FWiG
— David Coulthard (@therealdcf1) February 3, 2018
So proud to announce the winner of Race of Champions: @therealdcf1...Champion of the champions for the second time🍾🏆 and champion of my heart😍 pic.twitter.com/hn9c0LI6Jn
— Karen Minier (@karenminier) February 3, 2018
As for IndyCar and IMSA drivers, Helio Castroneves was eliminated in the first round, while Juan Pablo Montoya, Ryan Hunter-Reay and Josef Newgarden won their first round matches, but all three fell in their semifinals.
The two-day event began Friday, with team competition, while Saturday was solo driver finals.
Among vehicles drivers piloted were identically prepared Whelen NASCAR Euro, Xtreme Pickup, Ariel Atop Cup, Vuhl 05 ROC Edition, KTM X-Bow Comp R and a special made ROC car.
Here’s how Saturday’s rounds played out, first the Group elimination rounds, followed by quarterfinals, semifinals and championship round:
GROUP A: Juan Pablo Montoya and Ryan Hunter-Reay advance, Helio Castroneves loses
GROUP B: David Coulthard and Tom Kristensen advance, Randy Van Buren loses
GROUP C: Johan Kristoffersson and Joel Eriksson advance, Rene Rast loses
GROUP D: Petter Solberg and Joseph Newgarden advance, Ahmed Bin Knanen loses
QUARTERFINAL ROUND 1: Tom Kristensen defeats Juan Pablo Montoya, David Coulthard defeats Ryan Hunter-Reay
QUARTERFINAL ROUND 2: Johan Kristoffersson defeats Josef Newgarden,
Petter Solberg defeats Joel Eriksson
SEMIFNALS: David Coulthard defeats Tom Kristensen, Petter Solberg defeats Johan Kristoffersson
FINAL ROUND: David Coulthard defeats Petter Solberg
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Here’s how Friday’s final team round played out: