A Perfect Storm in Finland: Veiby Claims Victory, Kristoffersson Extends Championship Lead, Rytkönen Looses Podium After Collision With Grönholm.

PHOTO CREDIT: Kristoffersson Motorsport

The FIA World Rallycross Championship’s (World RX) first-ever visit to Finland delivered high drama, heartbreak, and a second victory for Ole Christian Veiby, who narrowly edged out his team-mate and reigning champion Johan Kristoffersson in a chaotic final at the all-new KymiRing. What began as a textbook performance from Kristoffersson on Saturday turned into a thriller on Sunday, where unpredictable weather, bold tyre strategies, and raw speed shook up the leaderboard.

From the opening laps of Qualifying on Saturday, Kristoffersson made clear why he's the benchmark in World RX. Metronomic in his pace and flawless in execution, the Swede delivered nearly identical lap times in his KMS Volkswagen Polo RX1e across both Q1 and Q2, showcasing the clinical precision that has brought him seven world titles. But home hero Niclas Grönholm wasn’t about to let him walk away with it. Firing off the line in Q1, the Finn snatched the early lead to the delight of his home town fans who packed Finnish hillsides, only for Kristoffersson to claw back the advantage with a perfectly timed early joker and overtake just after the merge to win by half a second.

Their battle intensified in Q2 when Veiby added to the drama, forcing a squeeze into Turn 1 that tagged Grönholm and opened the door for Kristoffersson to strike again. Despite fierce pressure, Grönholm had to settle for second place once more — both in the heat and overall standings. Kevin Hansen, meanwhile, had a mixed day. After being boxed in during Q1 following contact, he bounced back in Q2, executing a perfect joker strategy to win the heat and end the day third overall. Veiby, who had started strong by winning his opening heat, saw his momentum interrupted by more contact in Q2 but still finished in fourth-place.

One of the biggest crowd-pleasers was Juha Rytkönen, the only driver in the field racing a sustainably-fuelled, ICE-powered Hyundai i20. The Suonenjoki native delighted the home crowd with daring moves — diving around the outside at Turn 1 and going wheel-to-wheel with Veiby to finish his day in fifth overall. Behind him, both Timmy Hansen and Klara Andersson struggled to find rhythm on the challenging, undulating circuit, finishing sixth and seventh respectively, though both showed glimpses of potential heading into Sunday’s decisive heats.

By Sunday morning, Veiby had powered his way to victory in Heat 3, climbing into the top three of the intermediate standings behind Kristoffersson and Grönholm. Rytkönen, Kevin Hansen, and Timmy Hansen also advanced to the final, setting up a six-car showdown with massive championship implications. Intermittent rain throughout the day added another layer o complexity, with tyre strategy becoming a make-or-break factor.

Niclas Gronholm leads the final before it all goes wrong.
PHOTO CREDIT: CE Dealerteam.

At the start of the final, it was Grönholm who launched best from the outside of the front row, determined to strike back and reduce the gap to Kristoffersson in the championship standings. But heartbreak followed almost immediately. Contact into Turn 2 — involving Timmy Hansen and Rytkönen — sent the Finnish fan-favourite spinning out of contention before the first lap was complete. Rytkönen, having started from the back, emerged in the lead in stunning fashion, with Veiby close behind and Kristoffersson shuffled to fifth behind the Hansen brothers’.

Timmy Hansen soon began to slow, his Peugeot 208 WRX visibly crabbing around the track. As he struggled, Kristoffersson picked his moment, diving past on lap two and quickly closing in on the leading duo. The battle mirrored the epic duel between Kristoffersson and Rytkönen in Turkey the previous season, but this time, the Norwegian had played his cards better. Veiby had already jokered and sat just 2.5 seconds off the lead in clean air. On lap three, Rytkönen took his joker, managing to rejoin ahead of the Hansen brother, but releasing Kristoffersson to build a gap before taking his own joker on the final lap.

It wasn’t enough though, as Kristoffersson emerged from the joker just behind his team-mate, who had matched his pace to perfection and crossed the line three-tenths of a second ahead — claiming his second career victory in World RX. Both KMS cars picked up punctures near the end, but such was their advantage that nothing could threaten their one-two finish.

“Getting another win feels fantastic,” said Veiby. “The final was wild — I had to fight through after being pushed wide early, but the joker strategy gave me clean air and I stayed close. When Johan jokered, I managed to come out just in front. That 1-2 is big for the team and big for the title race.”

Rytkönen initially stood on the podium after finishing third on the road. But post-race, the FIA Stewards handed him a two-second penalty for the Turn 2 contact with Grönholm, relegating him to fifth and promoting Kevin Hansen to third. Timmy Hansen, whose weekend had nearly ended before it began due to team complications, salvaged fourth after a strong Heat 4 performance got him into the final at the expense of Klara Andersson. Andersson’s day ended in disappointment after a rocket start in Heat 4 ended with her crashing into the tyre barriers following contact in Turn Two.

While the top step eluded Kristoffersson this time, second place proved more than enough to extend his lead in the championship. He now holds a 15-point advantage over the luckless Grönholm heading into the Istanbul Park double-header finale. Veiby’s win elevated him to third in the standings, overtaking Timmy Hansen and putting him just four points off second place.

Kristoffersson was reflective but upbeat. “I had too much wheel spin at the start, and from there I got caught in traffic. Ole drove really well today. The cars have been running like clockwork all weekend, and we picked the right tyre strategy. I’m happy with how we’re positioned for the finale.”

Kevin Hansen, who was promoted to the podium after Rytkönen’s penalty, added: “Finally some silverware for me this season. A shame that it came about from a penalty for Juha [Rytkönen] but after what we’ve been through we can’t help but feel great about a podium. The team really deserve it after such a rollercoaster of a week. A massive thank you to the CE Dealer Team and Volvo Construction Equipment. Without them we wouldn’t have been here fighting for a podium in the first place and we really appreciate their support.”

As the dust settles in Finland, the championship momentum now heads towards Istanbul Park on 20-21 September. Kristoffersson may be in control, but with Veiby on form and Grönholm still hungry, the final double-header promises a spectacular showdown to close the 2025 World RX season.

NOTE: Thank You to CE Dealer Team, Volvo Construction Equipment and the PWR Group, for setting aside their rivalry to help Hansen Motorsport take the grid in Finland. 

Cleared for Takeoff: World RX Builds Momentum on the Road to Revival.

Seven-time FIA World Rallycross Champion Johan Kristoffersson launching off a jump.
PHOTO CREDIT: Kristoffersson Motorsport

After years of ups and downs, the FIA World Rallycross Championship (World RX)—one of motorsport’s most dynamic disciplines—is gathering fresh momentum. Now firmly under the direct stewardship of the Fédération Internationale de l'Automobile (FIA), the championship is entering an exciting new chapter marked by renewed optimism, greater accessibility, and a clear sense of direction.

Much like an aircraft gathering speed on the tarmac, World RX hit critical velocity in 2014. That inaugural season launched the discipline into the global spotlight with a roar. A grid packed with motorsport icons—Ken Block, Petter and Henning Solberg, Mattias Ekström, Tanner Foust, Timmy Hansen and Jacques Villeneuve—captured fans' imaginations. Over twelve thrilling rounds that year, Petter Solberg made history, becoming the first driver to win two FIA World Championships in different disciplines.

Riding high, the series grew rapidly. Major manufacturers such as Audi, Volkswagen, and Ford entered the fray, injecting factory-level competition into the paddock. Promoter IMG made a bold move by streaming races live on YouTube, vastly increasing accessibility and building a loyal global fanbase. Rallycross—with its short, high-octane races and duel-surface tracks—was becoming a bona fide global phenomenon.

But just as swiftly as it rose, World RX faced headwinds. Electrification, once seen as the future, became a divisive issue. When plans to transition stalled, so did manufacturer commitment. By the end of 2018, Audi, Volkswagen, and Peugeot all withdrew—marking the beginning of a turbulent chapter.

In the absence of factory teams, independent outfits stepped up, ushering in what became known as the privateer era. Despite delivering some memorable racing moments, the financial strain of competing at a world championship level became apparent. Entry numbers fell from 40 to just 25 by the final seasons of internal combustion engined Supercars. IMG exited in 2021, and Rallycross Promoter GmbH took over. In 2022, they introduced the long-awaited electric era, powered by cutting-edge Kreisel Electric powertrains.

The transition was not without complications. Broadcasts moved behind paywalls, limiting accessibility. Some regions received delayed highlights while others were left with YouTube highlights. A new commentary team was also introduced, with Martin Haven and later Nick Fellows taking over. Though both brought professionalism, many missed the unique chemistry of fan-favorite duo Andrew Coley and Dan Rooke. To add insight, respected rallycross journalist Hal Ridge was brought on board.

Special ONE Racing's Lancia Delta Evo-e's on fire at Lydden Hill. 

VIDEO SOURCE: _rallycross_ on IG

Then came 2023—arguably the most challenging seasons yet. During the UK round at Lydden Hill, a devastating fire destroyed both Special ONE Racing Lancia Delta Evo-e cars. The event, along with two others, was cancelled. To salvage the season, the FIA and RX Promoter made an extraordinary decision: the remaining rounds would be completed using RX2e cars.

Determined to reconnect with fans, RX Promoter implemented new changes in 2024. Mike Chen was appointed lead commentator—a decision that earned widespread praise. His energy evoked the spirit of Andrew Coley, and although fans continued to miss the Coley–Rooke dynamic, the effort to re-establish the emotional core of the broadcast was clear.

Behind the scenes, however, change was coming fast. RX Promoter unexpectedly stepped down ahead of the 2025 season, throwing the championship’s immediate future into question. In response, the FIA assumed full control as official promoter. Their first move? Removing the paywall. The entire championship would now be streamed live and free on YouTube—restoring global accessibility and breathing life back into the fanbase.

But the biggest surprise was yet to come: the FIA announced the return of Andrew Coley and Dan Rooke to the commentary booth, joined by 2019 World RX runner-up Andreas Bakkerud as an expert analyst and paddock reporter. The announcement was met with widespread celebration and marked a significant step toward restoring the series’ identity.

As momentum built ahead of the KymiRing round in Finland, another challenge emerged. Hansen Motorsport—one of rallycross’s most respected teams—announced they would not participate due to unresolved issues with a major partner. The paddock braced for a significant absence. However, intense behind-the-scenes negotiations delivered an unexpected but inspiring outcome. CE Dealer Team—powered by Volvo Construction Equipment (Volvo CE) and PWR Group—stepped in to support their long-time rivals. In a powerful show of unity and shared commitment to the sport, their backing enabled Hansen Motorsport to compete after all. The moment served as a testament to the resilience and camaraderie that define World RX at its best.

For World RX to reclaim its former heights, one reality remains unavoidable: costs must come down. The FIA is already addressing this through the forthcoming 2027 World Rally Championship regulations, designed to foster manufacturer involvement and possibly facilitate crossover with World RX. Among the key proposals: a switch to Rally2-based cars, more flexible bodywork regulations, and a cost cap—all of which aim to boost grid numbers and level the playing field.

Former World RX stars like Krisztián Szabó and Anton Marklund have expressed interest in returning—provided budget requirements become manageable. Currently, just eight cars make up the top-tier grid under Balance of Technologies (BoT) regulations, but with financial reform, the field could grow significantly.

Wildcard entries could also offer another path to reinvigorating the grid. The idea of inviting high-profile drivers such as Kalle Rovanperä or even Fernando Alonso for guest appearances was explored by the former commercial rights holder. Arne Dirks, former RX Promoter CEO confirmed this, saying: “It is something we’ve discussed internally, and we’ve already seen many good drivers from different disciplines come into rallycross and quickly transfer their skills. We’ve noted comments from the likes of Fernando Alonso saying they would be keen to have a go, and the door is always open to them.”

Still, logistical challenges remain. As Kristoffersson Motorsport team boss Tommy Kristoffersson noted: “It’s a great idea, but also difficult. The next question will be: who has a car for the wildcard drivers? There aren't many teams that have a competitive extra car available.”

PHOTO CREDIT: Red Bull Content Pool

Further complicating the competitive landscape are the current technical regulations that limit teams to just two significant updates—or "jokers"—per season. Kevin Hansen summed up the frustration: “This is the problem with the current regulations. You can’t change the complete philosophy because you use too many changes. It’s to save money, so you limit the number of updates you can do. We’re kind of stuck.” Despite those frustrations, Hansen remains enthusiastic about the future. When asked by Andrew Coley if Hansen Motorsport would build a new car under the 2027 regulations, his answer was emphatic: “100%. We will build the best bloody car on the grid. I just want a new car so badly.”

World RX has endured a decade of evolution—marked by highs, setbacks, reinventions, and now, renewal. With the FIA at the helm, free global streaming restored, and beloved voices returning to the commentary booth, the sport feels more grounded.

The foundations are in place. The vision is clear. The engines are warming. The runway is clear. It’s time for World RX to take flight once more.

The FIA makes unprecedented call to continue World RX Championship with RX2e cars.

PHOTO CREDIT: Red Bull Content Pool. 

In an unprecedented move, the FIA World Motor Sport Council [WMSC] has voted to continue the 2023 World Rallycross Championship in single-make RX2e [ZERIOD X1] vehicles.

Two months after a fire gutted the Special ONE Racing team's cars, hospitality unit, and truck at Lydden Hill circuit, the dual-surface championship will resume in Cape Town for a thrilling double-header, a venue that saw the 2019 title come down to the wire. Thereafter, the championship heads to Hong Kong, for its first-ever Asian round. 

"It’s so important that we are able to complete the season, where we will see closer racing than ever with everyone running the same specification of cars," Kenneth Hansen, Hansen Motorsport Team Principal, said.

Niclas Gronholm and Klara Andersson, mixing it up with the full-time RX2e drivers.
PHOTO CREDIT: Red Bull Content Pool

Having announced the resumption of the championship, the FIA highlighted the fact that the decision was not taken lightly, as the investigation continues, "and the logistics timeframe of shipping cars to Cape Town." 

"Rallycross Promoter is absolutely committed to travelling to Cape Town and Hong Kong for the final rounds of the season," Arne Dirks, Rallycross Promoter Managing Director, said. "What is absolutely paramount is that the world’s best drivers are there to compete, and we are absolutely certain that fans will be treated to a spectacular weekend of action in both locations."

“We thank the teams for their fantastic cooperation in making sure we will have a pulsating completion to the 2023 season.”

So, what are these ZERIOD X1 [RX2e cars] you ask? Well! The RX2e cars were designed to emphasize the abilities behind the wheel, prioritizing driver skill and ingenuity above all else. These cars have an output of 362 horsepower [270kW], these cars are underpowered compared to the RX1e cars - they produce 680 horsepower [500kW].

Whilst reading that might seem like a letdown. Just keep in mind that having drivers compete in "equal machinery" could really add additional spice to the championship, and could put a stop to Johan Kristoffersson and Volkswagen Dealerteam BAUHAUS' dominant run. Or will it?

The championship might have fallen silent, as investigations continued in the background, but the star drivers and teams kept racing with, Kristoffersson, Veiby, Gronholm, Andersson, Timmy, and Kevin Hansen all competing in RX2e championship rounds.

"It’s great that everyone will be using the RX2e cars for what will be two great events to finish 2023. We have great memories from Cape Town, where we won our first World RX Drivers’ title in 2019, and also Hong Kong on a brand-new city center circuit," Kenneth Hansen said.

A minimum of eight drivers have been confirmed for the World Rallycross of South Africa next month, so to avoid disappointment get your tickets today. 

“I hope we can still race” if forecast winds arrive in Cape Town – Vergne.

PHOTO CREDIT: ABB FIA Formula E World Championship/Simon Galloway

AUTHOR: Junaid Samodien

The picturesque City of Cape Town, which is known for it's beauty, nature, and Table Mountain (a seventh Wonder of Nature) is also known for it's strong gusts of wind. These winds are quite strong, and with the inaugural ABB FIA Formula E World Championship scheduled to race in the city tomorrow afternoon - things could become a lot more challenging for the drivers and teams! 

As we all know, single-seaters are very sensitive to wind direction changes, and with an errand gust of wind, an error could occur resulting in a crash. Something teams and drivers aim to stay clear of. 

According to the latest forecast from MeteoBlue.com, an hour before the race - wind speeds are expected to increased from 28k/h to gale force type speeds - 44km/h. 

Two-time World Champion Jean-Eric Vergne hopes that racing can continue, but ultimately, leaves the decision in the FIA Race Director Scot Elkins hands. 

“Let’s just hope that it can still be safe for us, because if you have a strong gust in the middle of a high-speed corner, you will end up hitting a wall,” Vergne said. 

“And, if that is the case tt will then become unsafe. So, then it will be up to the FIA to decide if we go racing, but I have not seen the weather forecast and what to anticipate regarding the wind strength, but I hope that we can still race and be safe.”

When speaking to ABT Cupra's Mark Schneider after the shakedown session, he said: "Our drivers did not report any issues with the wind this afternoon, but if and when it picks up and hits the car at an angle it could make the driving a lot more difficult."

Cape Town ePrix postponed due to the ongoing impact of Covid-19.

PHOTO CREDIT: e-Movement (Pty) Ltd

Cape Town's first Formula E race has been postponed to 2023 due to the ongoing impacts of the Covid-19 pandemic that continue to be felt in South Africa and internationally.

"While we are of course disappointed to postpone our first race in Cape Town, we have received a hugely positive response from those in our ecosystem, all of which are excited to visit. Over the past 18 months we have learnt to be dynamic and flexible when delivering the ABB FIA Formula E World Championship and we look forward to working alongside our local partners to experience Cape Town when delivering its maiden race in 2023," co-founder and Chief Championship Officer of Formula E Alberto Longo, said.

Formula E revealed a provisional calendar for its eighth season in early July, with South Africa set to make its debut alongside Vancouver and Seoul. However, due to the ongoing impacts of the coronavirus pandemic globally, Formula E and e-Movement (Pty) Ltd have agreed to postpone the city's inaugural race to 2023 pending FIA World Motor Sport Council confirmation (in 2022). 

PHOTO CREDIT: ABB FIA Formula E

e-Movement (Pty) Ltd and Formula E entered into a multi-year agreement to host the world’s only all-electric FIA World Championship in 2021 and remain committed to delivering a world-class event. 

"We have signed a long-term agreement with Formula E to stage the Cape Town E-Prix and look forward to delivering a marquee event for many years to come," Iain Banner, the Chairman of race promoters e-Movement (Pty) Ltd, said. 

"Bringing the Formula E to South Africa has always been part of a broader vision to accelerate the transformation of the Cape and South Africa into an innovation hub that can drive the renewable energy and mobility transition across the continent and make sure it remains relevant and positioned to thrive over the next 50 years." 

Due to the postponement of the inaugural Cape Town ePrix, eMovement (Pty) Ltd has laid out its plans for 2022, including the track reveal and an e-Investment seminar to map out a 10-year program.

Cape Town Mayor Dan Plato said, “When we evaluated Formula E, we found that it fits the City of Cape Town’s objectives including job creation, entrepreneurial opportunities for locals, destination marketing, and massive economic impact."

"The City of Cape Town views Formula E as one of the key events that could go a long way in being catalyst in the long-term recovery as well as the sustainability of the events and tourism industries. We are committed to working with e-Movement to ensure that Cape Town is ready to host this exciting race event in 2023."

Enzo Ide commits to full World RX campaign.

PHOTO CREDIT: JC Raceteknik

Enzo Ide will contest the full 2021 FIA World Rallycross Championship at the wheel of an Audi S1 EKS RX Quattro for EKS JC. 

The Belgian driver has had a successful circuit racing career having won the Blancpain Sprint Series and finishing third in FIA GTE. He then switched to rallycross in 2018 and has since contested selected rounds of World RX, RallyX Nordic, and British RX. 

Ide made his return to World RX in 2020 for the season finale Barcelona double-header in where he claimed a 13th and 12th place finish respectively, but this time around he will return for the full season. 

He will also compete in the full RallyX Nordic series this year with EKS JC. 

"I’m very happy to announce my second championship campaign for 2021. Already last year I dreamed of racing in two full championships, but due to different circumstances, it wasn’t possible," Enzo Ide said. "I’m very happy to be able to drive a full season in both the World Championship and RallyX Nordic together with EKS JC this year in my Audi S1 ​​EKS RX. I know it will be tough because only the top drivers compete in World RX, but for me, it's just about gaining experience and learning by competing against these professional drivers."

Enzo has confirmed that his testing programme started with EKS JC last week. 

"We have started testing and it’s very exciting to be back in a rallycross car. I want to take this opportunity to thank both Joel (Christoffersson) and Mattias (Ekström) for believing in me. Without them, this would never have been possible. This is a dream come true and I will enjoy it one hundred percent. I hope I can have many years with this strong team, and continue to create memories with all the fantastic people that are part of it," he adds.

In 2021, Joel Christoffersson collaborated with Mattias Ekström’s EKS team to create a new team "EKS JC", and will race in World RX this year with Ide – who was announced last week as also racing in the RallyX Nordic season.

"It's fantastic that we can enter a full World Championship season with Enzo, and to be part of him making that step. He will race in two championships this year and I feel that we will be well prepared for both," Joel Christoffersson, EKS JC Team Principal, said. 

"RallyX Nordic will be good practice for him to help improve his pace as much as possible for World RX. Enzo showed a strong development curve last year and finished the season with two really good results. He definitely has the speed to be in the semi-finals and that will be the goal throughout the season."

The 2021 World RX season is set to take place over eight rounds at seven circuits, starting at Hell, Norway on June 12-13.

New promoter confirmed for the World Rallycross Championship.

PHOTO CREDIT: FIA World RX Media

The WRC Promoter Group has been announced as the new promoters of the FIA World Rallycross Championship ahead of the 2021 season.

In October last year, the FIA launched a tender process in the search for a new series promoter after IMG relinquished its role as World RX promoters after 8-years. 

The FIA's collaboration with the WRC promoter has seen the group reach a multi-year agreement beginning in 2021. 

So, who is the WRC Promoter Group (GmbH)? The German-based company was founded in 2013 in a collaboration between Red Bull Media House and KW25. 

“We are pleased to be aligning with WRC Promoter as we build towards a ground-breaking electric future for the FIA World Rallycross Championship," Peter Bayer, Secretary-General for Sport, FIA said. 

"The FIA and WRC Promoter have reached a common vision on how to work together for the benefit and the growth of rallycross. Our respective teams are working on a long-form agreement, look forward to commencing work on the 2021 championship and to the move of the sport towards a bright, more sustainable, and greener future."

"We have worked extensively with the company as the promoter of the FIA World Rally Championship for a number of years and we anticipate they will bring the same energy and dynamism to the promotion of rallycross."

The new series promoters will have an almighty task ahead of them, as they will be responsible for the championships transition from combustion engines to EV technology in 2022. 

In addition to announcing the new promoters today, the FIA has added that WRC Promoters Group has committed to investing in the World Championship and in particular the development of the future electrification of the rallycross as a whole. 

"World Rallycross sits on the verge of an innovative and pioneering future. We see strong growth potential in all areas and WRC Promoter is delighted to be at the forefront of a series focused on sustainable technology and e-mobility," Jona Siebel, Managing Director, WRC Promoter, said.

"Rallycross provides breathtaking thrills and spills and we will build new foundations to create an engaging and progressive platform for our global audience and partners."

The 2021 FIA World Rallycross Championship (RX1) season is scheduled to start at Spa-Francorchamps (Belgium) on May 22-23. The season-opener will be supported by the new FIA RX2e series. 

The WRC Promoters Group will be responsible for the new RX1e electric FIA World Rallycross Championship which is set to debut in 2021. The new era of World RX will feature four-wheel drive 600hp Touring Cars (bodies) with performance levels that will be capable of exceeding the current combustion engine Supercars. 

In January, the FIA launched a tender proposal for the promotion of the FIA European Rallycross Championship, encompassing the EuroRX and Super1600 championships. However, for 2021 the European Rallycross Championship will remain under one umbrella with the new WRC Promoter Group. 

The FIA has also stated that the submissions for the 2021 FIA European Rallycross Championship from 2022 to 2025 are currently being considered.