Lorenzo goes head to head with Vettel

This weekend will see reigning world champions on two and four wheels go head to head in the Race of Champions in Bangkok.

The first round draws for the ultimate in motorsports bragging rights has pitched 2012 MotoGP champion Jorge Lorenzo against F1 world champion Sebastian Vettel.

The racers compete in groups of four in the first stage of the event, before the top two from each of four groups goes on to the knockout stages.

Also drawn in their group is five-time GP champion Mich Doohan, as well as one tbc racer from today’s Thailand heats.

The event, held annually since 1987, pitches the world’s top racers against each other in a selection of cars over a circuit purpose built inside a stadium. Previous venues have included Wembley.

The competitors will also compete on Saturday for the RoC Nations Cup, where Lorenzo teams up with eight-time Le Mans 24hr winner Tom Kristensen in an All-Stars team, while Doohan joins Team Australia with four-time V8 Supercar champ Jamie Whincup.

Lorenzo said “This is my first time here at the Race Of Champions so thank you for the invitation to compete with these extraordinary champions – most of them on four wheels. Mick and I are the only two-wheel experts so it will be an interesting test to see how we do.

I compete on four wheels sometimes, like the recent Rally of Monza, so this is a great chance to ask them questions to improve my driving skills. I’m really looking forward to racing but I also hope to keep learning, improving and to enjoy the atmosphere.”

MCN will be covering all the ROC action over the weekend. The ROC Nations Cup kicks off at 1pm UK time on Saturday, while the Race of Champions is at 1pm Sunday.