Formula 1 driver Daniel Ricciardo was among the motor sport stars showing off their skills in Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park this afternoon.
The Australian put in the practice in an Ariel Atom car ahead of his debut at the Race of Champions in the Olympic Stadium next month.
He was joined by the reigning Race of Champions champion, David Coulthard, his Team Scotland colleague Susie Wolff and double BTCC world champion Jason Plato, who will be representing England.
“Firstly it’s an event which is a lot of fun, so I won’t be putting too much pressure on myself,” explained Ricciardo.
“I can’t help but be competitive but I think I’ll just have fun, and what it is it is.”
The two-day race throws drivers from a number of different motor sport disciplines together, competing first as a team in the Nations Cup and then individually in a bid to be crowned champion of champions.
Today’s event, which was also attended by the Mayor of Newham, Sir Robin Wales, and a group of schoolchildren, was a chance for the drivers to see the stadium where they will be competing in up close.
Coulthard, who has been competing in the Race of Champions since 2005, said: “Coming here to the Olympic Park and coming back to the UK, which has had such a big influence on motor sport, all of that just makes it a really cool event to be part of.”
Three-time grand prix winner Ricciardo added: “I think it’s a great venue, to have the crowd that we’ll have there and to race under the lights in London, I think ROC have done very well to get such a venue and I’m really looking forward to that.”
Pick up next week’s Newham Recorder to read more.
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