France Clinches First Race of Champions Nations Cup Since 2004 in Sydney
France claimed their first Nations Cup victory since 2004 at the Race of Champions in Sydney's Accor Stadium, defeating Team Australia Supercars in a thrilling tiebreaker finale.
Race car driving on track
The final came down to a decisive third race after Brown beat Sebastien Loeb in Polaris RZRs, and Victor Martins defeated Brodie Kostecki in the FC2 rallycross car by 1.1 seconds. In the SuperCar Lites decider, Martins edged Brown by just 0.2 seconds after a last-corner mistake from the Australian.
Four racers celebrating with trophies
Martins, making his Race of Champions debut, impressed throughout the competition, receiving guidance from teammate and four-time ROC champion Loeb. The Formula 2 driver's performance included crucial victories in both the semi-final against Team All-Stars and the final.
France's path to victory included defeating Team New Zealand in the quarter-finals and overcoming Team All-Stars' Chaz Mostert and Johan Kristoffersson in the semis. Team Australia Supercars reached the final after dominating their group and beating both Team USA and Germany's Sebastian Vettel and Mick Schumacher in knockout rounds.
Race car in action during race
The event showcased various racing machines, including Polaris RZRs, FC2 rallycross cars, and SuperCar Lites, providing an exciting mix of competition across different vehicle types. The victory marks France's return to ROC Nations Cup glory after a 20-year drought, with Martins and Loeb proving to be an formidable pairing throughout the competition.
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