Vettel lands Nations Cup

Top Stories

Vettel lands Nations Cup
Sebastian Vettel says it was a unique experience. (Reuters file)

Miami - Vettel single-handedly won the Nations Cup for Germany

By AP

  • Follow us on
  • google-news
  • whatsapp
  • telegram

Published: Mon 23 Jan 2017, 7:41 PM

Last updated: Mon 23 Jan 2017, 9:47 PM

 
After a disappointing showing on the first day of the Race of Champions, Sebastian Vettel bounced back in a big way. 
Vettel single-handedly won the Nations Cup for Germany, winning all eight of his races while beating United States NASCAR drivers and brothers Kurt and Kyle Busch in the final. 
"We didn't get to race against each other, so we still don't know who the better 'Busch' is," Kurt Busch said, "but we know Vettel can whack two Busches in one day." 
Vettel, a four-time Formula 1 world champion, was knocked out in the group stage in Saturday's individual event as Juan Pablo Montoya won the Champion of Champions. 
"The bigger trophy was there yesterday for grabs, but (I didn't win), so I wanted to make sure I didn't leave empty-handed," Vettel said. 
There were supposed to be 10 two-driver teams in the Nations Cup, but Pascal Wehrlein was unable to compete with Vettel after getting into a crash Saturday and being held out as a precautionary on doctor's advice, leaving Vettel to handle the responsibility of driving each race for Germany. 
"Maybe it helped after yesterday to take it a bit more serious," Vettel said. "I started off on the wrong foot, so the day was very short for me. Today, I just wanted to get some time on the track and it obviously worked out very well, but it would have been nicer to share it with Pascal."  Vettel edged Montoya in the first semifinal race ending Montoya's run of winning nine consecutive races over two days. 
Kurt and Kyle Busch beat Team USA IndyCar drivers Alexander Rossi and Ryan Hunter-Reay in the semifinals. Kurt Busch slipped by Rossi in the deciding race. 
"It was an honour to go out there and race for the United States along with my little brother Kyle," Kurt Busch said. "To advance out of the group as the NASCAR group, we definitely wanted to do that ahead of the IndyCar guys and the Rally Car guys." 
 


More news from