Sébastien Loeb is the champion of champions

Sébastien Loeb won his third ‘Race of Champions’ (RoC) trophy by defeating the recently retired Formula 1 driver David Coulthard in the final at Wembley Stadium.

It took the Frenchman three rounds to get the better of the Scot. The rally driver won the first point in the RoC buggy, but Coulthard drew level in the second round, which was held in KTM X-Bows.

The final challenge takes place at the wheel of the RoC Car, and even though the former Red Bull Racing driver was in ambush, Loeb triumphs with a 0.321-second lead.

« It is a great pleasure to win this race, » said Loeb. « Last year, I couldn’t come, so returning this year could only be delightful. I had a difficult start because I made a mistake on the first lap, but everything worked out afterward. »

Coulthard stated that he was happy with his position as vice-champion of champions.

« It’s not too frustrating to be beaten by a five-time world rally champion, » he stated. « I’m happy to have made it to the final with so many good drivers present here. »

One of the highlights of this competition was the elimination of Michael Schumacher by Nascar driver Carl Edwards in the quarter-finals. The American knocked out the Formula 1 champion over two laps in an Abarth.

Edwards found himself up against Coulthard in the semi-final. The latter had a comfortable lead until the last corner of the final lap, where his X-Bow drove straight into the wall. The Scotsman had built up enough of a gap to narrowly claim victory.

Loeb earned his place for the final by beating Andy Priaulx. Earlier, he had met Sebastian Vettel in the second round. This time, unlike in the Nations Cup, the Frenchman was not caught off guard.

Finally, the Alsatian was faced in the first round with an all-French duel against Yvan Muller, the reigning WTCC champion.