GP2 champ Palmer to contest Race of Champions

GP2 champion Jolyon Palmer will contest the 2014 Race of Champions in Barbados. The Briton joins Indianapolis 500 winner Ryan Hunter-Reay and European Formula 3 champion Esteban Ocon among the open-wheel contingent at the event, which takes place at the Bushy Park track on December 13-14.

"It looks like a great event: at this time of year it's nice to see all the top guys going for it in a no-pressure situation," said Palmer. "The competitive part will of course come when I put the helmet on but I'm looking forward to being part of the show and having fun out there.

"The lineup contains plenty of legends in their own field, which is what makes it such a special event – to see Mick Doohan competing against the likes of Tom Kristensen, Jamie Whincup, F1 drivers and other champions. The cars seem great fun to drive as well, with a lot of power and the chance to slide them around."

Other 2014 RoC participants include World Touring Car champion Jose Maria Lopez, World Rallycross champion Petter Solberg, Williams Formula 1 test driver Susie Wolff, 2004 NASCAR Cup champion Kurt Busch and ex-F1 racer David Coulthard.

The only other GP2 champion to contest the RoC in their title winning year was Romain Grosjean in 2011. Palmer's predecessor Fabio Leimer entered the 2013 RoC before it was canceled due to political unrest in Thailand.