The World RX of Türkiye brought the curtain down on the season with a dramatic and fiercely contested finale, as Johan Kristoffersson secured his record-extending eighth FIA World Rallycross Championship title following an intense battle with long-time rival Niclas Grönholm. Throughout the double-header weekend in Istanbul, the two drivers exchanged strong performances, with Grönholm initially setting the pace before Kristoffersson mounted a decisive response. Ultimately, Kristoffersson clinched the championship after finishing second behind Kristoffersson Motorsport teammate Ole Christian Veiby in the final qualifying rankings..jpg)
PHOTO CREDIT: QNIGAN/KMS HORSE Powertrain
Veiby delivered a standout performance to claim his third career World RX victory, demonstrating both speed and resilience across the weekend. The action began on Saturday with Grönholm stating his intentions with strong qualifying results. The CE Dealer Team driver showed aggression from the outset, fending off Euro RX1 contender Damian Litwinowicz in Q1 before overtaking fellow Finn Mika Liimatainen in Q2. In Q3, Grönholm edged past Kristoffersson in a series of intense, side-by-side battles to top the intermediate standings, narrowing the championship gap and maintaining pressure on the reigning champion.
However, in the final, Kristoffersson shifted momentum. After shadowing Grönholm in the early stages, the Swede executed a bold inside pass mid-race to seize the lead, steadily pulling away to secure his 48th World RX victory and extend his championship advantage. Grönholm, unable to respond, finished second but remained a contender heading into Sunday’s competition.
Veiby faced challenges on Saturday, including a spin in Q1 after contact with barriers and a collision with Kristoffersson in Q3, which hindered his progress. In the final, he engaged in a fierce battle with Klara Andersson for third place, resulting in multiple collisions. Although Veiby initially crossed the line ahead, a post-race penalty relegated him behind the CE Dealer Team driver. Reflecting on the day, Veiby said, “Yesterday was difficult. We had strong pace, but the final did not go as planned. Johan assisted with team tactics earlier, but it feels particularly rewarding to beat him on pace in the final.”
The race to turn one, with Gronholm in prime position to lead and Kristoffersson on the outside.
PHOTO CREDIT: CE Dealerteam
Sunday marked a turning point for Veiby, who demonstrated exceptional form by topping nearly all qualifying heats and dominating his semi-final. Kristoffersson experienced a turbulent semi-final, where a lightning-fast start from Mika Liimatainen meant he had initially led, but after a costly mistake clipping a tyre barrier, the Finn went up on two wheels, and with nowhere to go for Kristoffersson, the Hyundai landed on the front of the Polo RX1e, and with slight contact, it rolled over. Following the restart, Kristoffersson, Grönholm, and Andersson advanced to the final.
The grid for the final featured Veiby and Kristoffersson, who had locked out the front row for Kristoffersson Motorsport, followed by Grönholm, 16-year-old wildcard Joni Turpeinen, Nils Volland, and Andersson. At the start, Veiby launched his Volkswagen Polo RX1e decisively into the lead and maintained a consistent, measured pace, fending off pressure from Kristoffersson. With the championship secured, Kristoffersson adopted a calculated approach, shadowing Veiby and controlling Grönholm behind, securing a clean 1-2 finish for Kristoffersson Motorsport and confirming both the Drivers’ and Teams’ Championships.
Reflecting on the weekend, Kristoffersson stated, “I am incredibly proud—not just of my own performance but of the entire team and our partners. I gave everything to support Ole Christian in his fight against Niclas. It was a tight battle, with Ole Christian just one point shy. He drove exceptionally well in the final, and it was rewarding to push hard for six laps.”
OC Veiby and Johan Kristoffersson are celebrating after the final round in Turkiye.
PHOTO CREDIT: QNIGAN/Kristoffersson Motorsport
Wildcard entrant Joni Turpeinen was a standout performer, impressing the paddock with composure beyond his 16 years. Holding third position for most of the race despite intense pressure from Grönholm and Volland, Turpeinen narrowly missed a podium finish, ultimately securing fourth place on debut and marking himself as a future contender.
Andersson concluded the weekend in fifth, contending with a low-grip gravel surface that limited her pace. Volland completed the top six after a challenging race that included a poorly timed joker lap, which left him isolated at the back.
For Grönholm, the weekend was a mixture of strong performances and near misses. “I’m proud of what we achieved this season—from the win in Portugal and three podiums to leading in Finland and finishing second overall,” he said. “Looking back, there is little I could have done differently, aside from some unfortunate luck in Hungary and at home.”
From Grönholm’s early promise to Veiby’s resurgence and Kristoffersson’s historic title triumph, the World RX of Türkiye delivered a captivating season finale, rich with stories of emerging talent and established excellence. As the 2025 season draws to a close, the sport stands on the cusp of a significant transition. Beginning in 2026, the championship will revert to a European Rallycross Championship format, complemented by a standalone FIA Rallycross World Cup event. Furthermore, the FIA has announced the discontinuation of electric vehicles in competition, with future eligibility limited exclusively to combustion-engine supercars powered by sustainable fuels, marking a new direction for the sport.
