Vettel, Schumacher lose Race of Nations Cup final

Sebastian Vettel and Mick Schumacher were beaten in the Race Of Champions Nations Cup final against Team Nordic duo of Tom Kristensen and Johan Kristoffersson in Mexico City’s Foro Sol.

Team Germany conceded the ROC Nations Cup title by two heats to one against the Nordic pair in what was a historic day for Schumacher who was also officially announced as part of the Ferrari Driver Academy.

Schumacher made his ROC debut this year in Mexico, reprising a formidable partnership his father Michael forged with Vettel who stormed to six Nations Cups in a row between 2007-2012.

But a seventh Schumacher-Vettel title wasn’t to be as Kristensen beat Vettel in the first final heat two races to one, only to see European Formula 3 champion Schumacher level the contest by beating Kristoffersen with two consecutive race wins in the second heat.

But Kristensen claimed the deciding heat against Schumacher to take the title for Team Nordic and deny Team Germany a ninth overall ROC Nations Cup.

Despite falling to defeat in the final of his maiden ROC event, Schumacher reflected on a positive debut experience and is hopeful of claiming silverware in Sunday’s individual Race Of Champions event.

“This was a great experience, and it was special to share it with Sebastian,” Schumacher said. “He's done an awesome job and without him we wouldn't have made it into the final. So we're happy to have had a good run in the ROC Nations Cup. We did well – not quite enough to get the win – but second place is not too bad.”

“Mick and I can be proud of what we did today,” Vettel added. “It would have been great to go home with the trophy but it's never easy to get all the way through the Race Of Champions, and we did well.

“It's obviously very special to have teamed up with Mick today. I remember my first Race Of Champions appearance and looking up to Michael. We all know it would be more special to have Michael here to witness Mick's performance today, but I'm sure he would be proud of his son.”

Earlier in the day fellow Formula 1 driver Pierre Gasly had a Race Of Champions debut to forget as part of Team France alongside Loic Duval as they failed to progress from the group stages.

The action continues on Sunday (January 20^th) with the individual Race Of Champions event.