"Every piece of the puzzle was there" to lift the 2019 title had Grönholm not suffered from appendicitis.

PHOTO CREDIT: Red Bull Content Pool

Niclas Grönholm has firmly established himself as one of the championship stars, with his cool, but calm demeanor. 

In the 2019 season, he was regarded as the quickest driver, and could have challenged for the 2019 title, however, due to appendicitis, he was forced to sit out of two rounds. But, he was quick to rebound with a victory in Norway, and at the season finale in Cape Town, which was overshadowed by the tense title tussle between Timmy Hansen and Andreas Bakkerud. 

Speaking to Rhea Morar at the Killarney International Raceway, the Finn said: "Obviously, it felt good [to win the 2019 World RX of South Africa]. That was the target to win some races after I missed a few races. We couldn't win the championship that was pretty clear, but overall, it still feels quite bad."

"I felt that year I was the most prepared that I've ever been. I had a really good feeling with the car and the driving, and I was physically in really good shape when the season started until I got sick."

Grönholm admits that all the stars aligned in 2019, but unfortunately, a case of appendicitis proved costly for his ambitions to be a world champion that season. 

"So, since then it's not quite the same. I think that year was really a good feeling in the team, and I think every piece of the puzzle was there, but then I didn't go to the doctor in time, but for sure, that was a good year," he said.

Audio Source/Interview Quote: Rhea Morar and Russell Atkins. 

Written By: Junaid Samodien 

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. 

WORLD RX PREVIEW: Can anyone stop Kristoffersson's supremacy at the 'Magic Weekend' in Höljes?

PHOTO CREDIT: Red Bull Content Pool

Having reigned supreme in the opening two rounds of the 2023 season, attention now turns to the 'Magic Weekend' in Höljes, where reigning champion Johan Kristoffersson will once again be the favourite as he chases a sixth world championship crown. 

"I couldn't have had a better start to the season. We've been fast on two very different types of circuits, so I feel very comfortable. But things can turn around quickly so I have to stay very focused," the reigning champion said. "We haven't competed with electric cars in Höljes before. We practiced there last year, before Hell, but there has been lots of development on the cars since then. It's going to be interesting to see how fast we can be around the circuit this time."

The Volkswagen Dealerteam BAUHAUS driver currently holds a 13-point advantage over closest rival Niclas Grönholm in the drivers’ classification.

"I am looking forward to Höljes, a track I think everybody would like to win on. It is going to be tough competition, like always. It is probably one of the most challenging tracks to set up everything one hundred percent right. Hopefully, continue to score good results in front of our fans and partners," Grönholm said.

Kristoffersson will face stiff opposition, however, not least from countryman Hansen (Hansen World RX Team), as he strives to kick-start his season following accidents that have uncharacteristically kept him out of the final in both rounds so far.

“The season clearly hasn’t started too well for us and we’re not in the position we had hoped to be, but we definitely took a step forward in terms of pace last time out and I’m excited to see if we can carry that forward,” Hansen said. “I’m not in the mood to hold anything back – I’m just going to send it!”

With the event universally known as the ‘Magic Weekend’, Hansen knows the entertainment won’t be limited to just the track, with fans already setting up camp in ‘Happy Street’, ready to party the night away once the racing ends each day.

“There’s a huge festival atmosphere,” he reveals, “and competing in front of so many people on home soil is just an incredible feeling that we don’t get anywhere else.”

Kevin Hansen followed his older brother across the line for a one-two finish in 2021, and the Swedish squad will be eager to repeat that result two years on. Klara Andersson (CE Dealer Team) sits an impressive fourth in the standings as she prepares to make her maiden appearance at Höljes in World RX, while WRC record man Sébastien Loeb – returning to the circuit for the first time since 2018 – is set to thrill fans behind the wheel of Special ONE Racing’s Lancia Delta Evo-e RX.

THE TRACK: Höljes Motorstadion

THE TRACK INFORMATION:

Along with the previous round at Höljes, Lohéac is widely considered one of the two ‘crown jewel’ events of World Rallycross. Unlike Höljes though, it’s less technical and less undulating.

That doesn’t mean the 1.07-kilometer track lacks a punch – rather the track is not forgiving for those who stray even slightly off-line or brake a little too late. And if it rains, all bets are off – the second half of the lap will become highly unpredictable.

2023 FIA WORLD RX OF SWEDEN: ENTRY LIST

Johan Kristoffersson (Volkswagen Dealerteam BAUHAUS) - VW Polo RX1e

Sebastien Loeb (Special ONE Racing) - Lancia Delta Evo-e RX

Timmy Hansen (Hansen World RX Team) - Peugeot 208 RX1e

Niclas Gronholm (CE Dealer Team) - PWR RX1e

Kevin Hansen (Hansen World RX Team) - Peugeot 208 RX1e

Guerlain Chicherit (Special ONE Racing) - Lancia Delta Evo-e RX

Ole Christian Veiby (Volkswagen Dealerteam BAUHAUS) - VW Polo RX1e

Gustav Bergstrom (Kristoffersson Motorsport) - VW Polo RX1e

Klara Andersson (CE Dealer Team) - PWR RX1e

Timo Scheider (ALL-INLK Munnich Motorsport) SEAT Ibiza RX1e

Round 3 - World RX of Sweden (CAT Times)

SATURDAY:

PRACTICE: 09:10

SUPERPOLE: 11:35

HEAT 1: 14:19

HEAT 2: 16:19

SUNDAY:

WARM-UP: 10:05

HEAT 3: 11:05

HEAT 4: 13:40

SEMI-FINALS AND FINAL: (from) 16:00

GRID WRAP-UP SHOW: 17:00 [RX+ only]

2023 FIA WORLD RALLYCROSS - CHAMPIONSHIP STANDINGS [AFTER ROUND 2]:

1) Johan Kristoffersson (Volkswagen Dealerteam BAUHAUS) - 46 POINTS

2) Niclas Gronholm (CE Dealer Team) - 33

3) Kevin Hansen (Hansen World RX Team) - 24

4) Klara Andersson (CE Dealer Team) - 23

5) Ole Christian Veiby (Volkswagen Dealerteam BAUHAUS) - 22

6) Sebastien Loeb (Special ONE Racing) - 21

7) Timo Scheider (ALL-INLK Munnich Motorsport) - 20

8) Guerlain Chicherit (Special ONE Racing) - 17

9) Timmy Hansen (Hansen World RX Team) - 16

10) Gustav Bergstrom (Kristoffersson Motorsport) - 14

A formidable performance in Hell sees Kristoffersson claim a 37th career victory.

PHOTO CREDIT: Red Bull Content Pool

Reigning World Champion Johan Kristoffersson produced a formidable performance in Hell to win World RX of Norway, whilst team-mate Ole Christian Veiby was disqualified for a technical infraction. 

Kristoffersson was untouchable around the Lånkebanen circuit, maintaining his flawless SuperPole record before dominating all four heats, his semi-final, and the final to tally his 37th career victory in the FIA World Rallycross Championship’s milestone 100th round.

That secured the five-time world champion a second consecutive maximum score behind the wheel, extending his advantage at the top of the championship standings to 13 points.

"The track was changing so it was difficult and easy to make mistakes," Kristoffersson said. "But I feel comfortable. We have the tools and the knowledge to make the changes we need to make things work, and I played it smart and tried not to get involved in too many incidents. Now, we look ahead to Höljes. Driving there with these new electric cars will be super-fun!”

Behind the Swede, a battle played out for ‘best-of-the-rest’. Ultimately, it was CE Dealer Team's Niclas Grönholm who prevailed in that particular fight as the Finn secured the runner-up spot.

"It has not been an easy weekend; we have been really working hard. It feels good to head home with a second place and a solid points haul after all. We need to keep working hard, stayed focused, and try again in the next race at Höljes," Grönholm said.

In only his second outing in World RX’s electric era, Timo Scheider reached the podium [with a third-place finish] for the first time in almost three years behind the wheel of the ALL-INKL.COM Münnich Motorsport’s SEAT Ibiza RX1e.

Replicating the result achieved on her impressive World RX debut in Hell last year, Klara Andersson took the chequered flag fourth. The Swede had some of the most impressive/quickest launches this weekend.

"We had some issues in the semi-final, so I was really lucky to be able to make the final. There I got a very good launch but got hit twice," Andersson said. "After that, the wheels were pointing in every possible direction, so it was not easy to drive that’s for sure. We did not have so much luck this weekend."

Sébastien Loeb finished fifth in the World RX final in his Lancia Delta Evo-E RX, whilst hometown hero Ole Christian Veiby finished fifth on the road, but following first corner contact that removed the boot and rear wing of his car, his Volkswagen RX1e was subsequently found to be +-3.3kg under the minimum weight.

Speaking before receiving the penalty, Veiby said, "In the final, I got hit in the first corner and thus the car was very difficult to handle, so I just couldn't keep up with the others. I feel that I get too little reward for some good driving."

If it was a bad weekend for Veiby, the Hansen Motorsport stable had a weekend to forget, as Kevin Hansen exited proceedings at the semi-final stage after picking up a puncture in a Turn One clash with Kristoffersson, whilst older brother Timmy was withdrawn after his car battery sustained a high g-force load after hitting a big bump whilst attempting an overtake on Veiby. The latter was disqualified from Heat 4. 

Hansen was later fined 1,000 euros for walking onto an active circuit, and hitting Veiby's car whilst gesticulating. Due to the FIA Safety Regulations related to the battery g-force load the battery will have to undergo testing in Austria before it could be used again. 

FINAL RESULT - WORLD RX OF NORWAY

1. Johan KRISTOFFERSSON - Volkswagen Dealerteam BAUHAUS

2. Niclas GRÖNHOLM - CE Dealer Team + 1.755s

3. Timo SCHEIDER - ALL-INKL.COM Münnich Motorsport + 3.675s

4. Klara ANDERSSON - CE Dealer Team + 5.438s

5. Sébastien LOEB (FRA) Special ONE Racing + 6.798s

6. Ole Christian VEIBY - Volkswagen Dealerteam BAUHAUS DSQ

PREVIEW: Kristoffersson on verge of clinching fifth World RX title in Catalunya.

PHOTO CREDIT: Red Bull Content Pool

With a 41-point advantage over his nearest rival, Johan Kristoffersson is aiming to clinch his fifth Drivers’ crown at Circuit de Catalunya-Barcelona this weekend. 

The Kristoffersson Motorsport driver has triumphed six times out of seven so far this season, and he knows what it takes to tame the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya – although 15 months ago, he came off second-best there following a series of thrilling battles with the Hansen brothers.

But for ill-fortune and some strategic errors, Kevin and Timmy Hansen would have at least one win apiece to their name this year, too, and the Swedish siblings produced a superb team effort to keep Johan behind in Catalunya last season with Kevin clinching victory for the Hansen stable.

The Hansen World RX squad are embroiled in a fierce four-way fight for the runner-up spot in the overall standings with Ole Christian Veiby and Niclas Grönholm, with three points separating the quartet.

Although he was out of luck just over two weeks ago in Belgium, Ole Christian Veiby has displayed a strong turn-of-speed on his rallycross return this season – and with four podium appearances to-date, the Norwegian has proved to be a perfect rear-gunner to team-mate Kristoffersson. 

Grönholm, for his part, won at Montalegre and reached the podium at Spa, as the Construction Equipment Dealer Team increasingly establishes itself as a force to be reckoned with.

Gustav Bergström impressed yet again by placing inside the top three on both days in Belgium, while his CE Dealer Team counterpart Klara Andersson also spraying the champagne in Portugal, where she became the first female driver ever to finish on the podium in international rallycross’ top flight.

Completing the field in Barcelona is René Münnich, the German is continuing to improve with age – and it was in Catalunya last season where the ALL-INKL.COM Muennich Motorsport driver / team owner advanced to the final for the first time...

THE PERMANENT TEAMS:

Volkswagen Dealerteam BAUHAUS: Johan Kristoffersson and Ole Christian Veiby

Hansen World RX Team: Timmy Hansen and Kevin Hansen

Construction Equipment Dealer Team: Niclas Gronholm and Klara Andersson (first gender equal team.)

THE CIRCUIT - CIRCUIT DE CATALUNYA, BARCELONA.

THE TRACK: 

Well-known for hosting Formula 1 and MotoGP, the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya joined the FIA World Rallycross Championship calendar in the series’ second season in 2015, since when it has become a staple of the schedule. Spectators invariably enjoy an incredible view of the action in the stadium section of the famous venue.

Located right next to the famous F1 paddock, the asphalt sections are wide, smooth and fast. From the start-line of the 1,125m rallycross track, competitors tackle a sweeping left-hand Turn One (Turn Ten of the F1 circuit), before an uphill blast on the racetrack leads to the first unsealed area, which comprises a long right-hander and a kink to the left.

A quick-fire right-left-left – which forms the penultimate corner of the F1 circuit – marks the entry to the Joker lap, followed by a long, sweeping left-hand turn incorporating the back straight. The second of the two unsealed areas then has an intricate entry before running through a fast downhill right kink, with a tight left-handed turn leading to the finish line.

TRACK LENGTH: 1.125 m

NO. OF CORNERS: 12 

PREVIOUS WINNERS (2021) - Round 1 Kevin Hansen

SURFACE: 60% Asphalt, 40% Gravel.

JOKER LAP LOSS: 3.2 seconds (approximately)

FORMAT CHANGE:

The Qualifying heats will be renamed Heat 1, Heat 2, Heat 3 instead of Q1, Q2, Q3. There will be three heats only as opposed to the four that have existed over the last eight years. Heat 1 starting positions will be decided following a “Superpole” timed session instead of a draw.

Heat 4 will be replaced by a “Progression Race” to add one more decisive stage in the progress of the event towards access to the Semi-Finals. Starting position distribution for this Progression Race will be determined according to ranking after the 3 Heats. The Final phase remains with Semi-Finals and a Final, but with five-car starts. The highest qualified driver will have a free of starting position. Other changes include five laps in all races (Qualifying, Progression Race, Semi-Finals, Final) and no use of the Joker Lap allowed in Lap 1 if the Joker Lap is in Corner No.1.

CHAMPIONSHIP POINTS (for 2022 onwards):

Championship points will be awarded based on the final  classification on the Competition on the following basis: 

1st: 20 points

2nd: 16 points

3rd: 13 points

4th: 12 points

5th: 11 points

6th: 10 points

7th: 9 points

8th: 8 points

9th: 7 points

10th: 6 points

11th: 5 points

12th: 4 points

13th: 3 points

14th: 2 point

15th: 1 point

- The Teams’ Championship is open to World Championship teams fielding two cars, and includes all points scored by both of the team’s drivers at each event.

World RX Entry List - World RX of Catalunya 

*GCK Motorsport’s Lancia Delta Evo-e will not be ready to race in Hell due to the extensive development work required to incorporate the new technology into the car, it will appear on-track in World RX later in the season.

*The second All-Inkl.com Munnich Motorsport Seat Ibiza RX1e is currently being built.

2022 FIA World Rallycross Championship Standings (Drivers):

Johan Kristoffersson (Volkswagen Dealerteam BAUHAUS) 131 points

Kevin Hansen (Hansen World RX Team) 90 pts

Ole Christian Veiby (Volkswagen Dealerteam BAUHAUS) 89 pts

Timmy Hansen (Hansen World RX Team) 87 pts

Niclas Gronholm (CE Dealer Team) 87 pts

Gustav Bergstrom (Kristoffersson Motorsport) 76 pts

Klara Andersson (CE Dealer Team) 71 pts

Rene Munnich (ALL-INLK Munnich Motorsport) 62 pts

2022 FIA World Rallycross Championship Standings (Teams):

Volkswagen Dealerteam BAUHAUS 220 points

Hansen World RX Team 177 pts

Construction Equipment Dealer Team 158 pts

ROUNDS 9 AND 10 - WORLD RX OF CATALUNYA (CAT TIMES). 

SATURDAY:

PRACTICE: 10:40

SUPERPOLE: 11:30

HEAT 1: 12:45

HEAT 2: 14:15

PROGRESSION RACE: 15:40

SEMI-FINALS AND FINAL: (from) 17:00

GRID WRAP UP SHOW: 18:00 [RX+ only]

SUNDAY:

PRACTICE: 12:05

SUPERPOLE: 12:25

HEAT 1: 13:40

HEAT 2: 15:20

PROGRESSION RACE: 16:40

SEMI-FINALS AND FINAL: (from) 18:00

GRID WRAP UP SHOW: 19:00 [RX+ only]

All of the on-track entertainment and off-track features will be broadcast live on RX+. Event passes are available for €7,99, with the full season pass on sale for €49,99. More information can be found here.

Kristoffersson on verge of fifth title after victory at Spa-Francorchamps.

PHOTO CREDIT: Red Bull Content Pool

Calm and calculated Kristoffersson has clinched a sixth victory of the season at the Benelux World RX of Spa-Francorchamps yesterday, and has taken a significant step towards a fifth championship.  

After maintaining his unblemished SuperPole record by a tenth-of-a-second from nearest challenger Timmy Hansen, Kristoffersson picked up a puncture in the first heat race. With smoke pouring off his right-rear tyre, the damage got progressively worse as the Swede wrestled his Polo RX1e around the circuit, with the tyre letting go completely on the last lap and ripping the right-rear car door off in the process. And after a stellar repair job by the Volkswagen Dealerteam BAUHAUS crew, Johan came out on top after a battle with Niclas Grönholm in heat two – which included a thrilling pass in the banked gravel corner – before winning his progression race.

The four-time World Champion subsequently fended off countryman Kevin Hansen in the second semi-final to secure pole position for the all-important final – and following a textbook launch, he was thereafter never headed, racing clear of his pursuers to take the chequered flag by 3.995 seconds. The result has extended his advantage at the top of the title standings to 41 points with only two race weekends remaining – a fact not lost on the four-time world champion.

"You need to be in the right place at the right time, and thankfully, we were," he said. "The team is delivering a perfect car every time we go out and we worked hard on our starts today, because they weren’t the best yesterday. That paid off in the final, and thankfully there was no squeeze into Turn One because the wall there is pretty unforgiving.

"From there, I saw there was some fighting going on behind and once I had established a gap, I could just cruise to the finish while taking care not to get any more punctures. It was a very good race."

"Big thanks to the team for making this possible. It's been hard work. Sometimes we have returned to the paddock almost with only the steering wheel in our hands," he added.

The Construction Equipment Dealer Team has continued to show progress, as Niclas Grönholm claimed second place behind Kristoffersson, but it was noticeable the PWR RX1e machines had stellar starts throughout the weekend.

”It was a tough day, but everything went well from the semi-final and onwards," Grönholm said. "I had good launch, and some great fights in the final. Yesterday we had the pace to challenge for the win, and it was a bummer that I made a mistake in turn one. From there on, it was hard to do anything. Today I played it smart in the first corner and was able to come out in second. Pace-wise, this was the best weekend so far. This is good to build on for the future."

Buoyed by his breakthrough podium finish  on Saturday, Gustav Bergström rebounded from a broken driveshaft in heat one to pull off a gutsy overtaking move on Grönholm in the final, and while he ultimately didn’t have quite enough pace to keep the Finn behind, he nonetheless impressed with another third-place finish.

"Of course I was keen on second spot as well, but I must be satisified with another podium finish," the Kristoffersson Motorsport driver said.

Kevin Hansen wound up fourth after sliding wide in the last corner – finding himself inadvertently clipped by Grönholm in the process – with Ole Christian Veiby classified fifth, he  failed to reach the checkered flag due to coming off worst in a first corner crunch with Bergström and Hansen in turn one that broke his Volkswagen’s steering.

Once more, 2019 world champion Timmy Hansen looked set to take the fight to Kristoffersson, but yet again luck was not on he's side, as he's Peugeot 208 took a knock on the rear in the semi-final which caused the Swede to miss out on a place in the final. 

CE Dealer Team's Klara Andersson was impressive yet again - pulling off some incredible starts, but unfortunately, she too failed to reach the final, whilst All-Inkl Munnich Motorsport's Rene Munnich couldn't quite keep the pace of the cars ahead and finished at the tail end of the field in the Ardennes.

The next stop on the 2022 calendar will be World RX of Catalunya, a weekend that could ultimately decide the drivers' championship should Kristoffersson reign supreme again. Can anyone stop the Volkswagen Dealerteam BAUHAUS driver? Time will tell!

ROUND 7 - FINAL RESULT: WORLD RX OF BELGIUM:

1. Johan Kristoffersson (Volkswagen Dealerteam BAUHAUS)

2. Niclas Grönholm (Construction Equipment Dealer Team) + 3.995s

3. Gustav Bergström (Kristoffersson Motorsport) + 4.932s

4. Kevin Hansen (Hansen World RX Team) + 9.305s

5. Ole Christian Veiby (Volkswagen Dealerteam BAUHAUS) + 5 laps

PREVIEW: Can anyone stop Kristoffersson's winning streak in Portugal?

PHOTO CREDIT: Red Bull Content Pool

The FIA World Rallycross Championship is heading back to Montalegre for the second double-header of the season on 17-18 September for the Lusorecursos World RX of Portugal, where Johan Kristoffersson's rivals will look to end he's dominance. 

Last season’s final in Portugal, certainly, will live long in the memory, as a spectacular battle between Kristoffersson and the Hansen brothers opened the door for Niclas Grönholm to sneak through and claim an unexpected victory. The same names are all firmly in the frame again this year – and with two rounds over the course of the weekend.

The statistics suggest that with three wins out of three, the Volkswagen Dealerteam BAUHAUS driver has had things all his own way so far in 2022, but the truth is that the Swede has had to dig deep every time, generating some sensational racing as he has fought his way to the front.

The four-time World Champion sped to his maiden World RX triumph at Montalegre in only his fifth start in 2015 – backing that up with a similar success three years later. "It was an incredible feeling when I picked up my first victory in World RX at Montalegre in 2015. It's an awesome track," he said. "You just drive with a smile on your face!" 

Whilst Kristoffersson has led the charge, the opposition has begun to close in, as proved by Kevin Hansen in Lavtia. 

Having lacked pace on the Saturday in Riga, the Hansen World RX Team worked overnight to extract more pace from it's pair of Peugeot 208 RX1e cars, which they were able to achieve. "From the last race in Riga I think we have found a solid direction to take the car, which is really good," Kevin Hansen said.

The Hansen World RX Team might be a bit more confident heading to Portugal, but the reigning champion Kristoffersson has issued a warning: "I feel I have some little extra to give when needed. There were moments in Riga when I got the same feeling as in 2018 and 2020. I could push a little bit more on the laps where I needed to."

Kristoffersson’s team-mates Ole Christian Veiby and Gustav Bergström can also be counted upon to be in the mix, but also never discount the Construction Equipment Dealer Team. Klara Andersson had a difficult weekend Latvia, and will look to replicate her strong performance last seen in Norway. Her team-mate Niclas Grönholm is still chasing his first podium after a difficult start to the season. The multiple race winner has struggled to adapt he's driving style to the new RX1e cars, but the ice cool Finn has the ability to turn things around an surprise many in Portugal. 

The championship definitely isn’t over by any means, but some hard yards will need to be put in if anyone aims to overturn Kristoffersson's dominance.

THE PERMANENT TEAMS:

Volkswagen Dealerteam BAUHAUS: Johan Kristoffersson and Ole Christian Veiby

Hansen World RX Team: Timmy Hansen and Kevin Hansen

Construction Equipment Dealer Team: Niclas Gronholm and Klara Andersson (first gender equal team.)

THE CIRCUIT - MONTALEGRE TRACK, PORTUGAL.

THE TRACK: 

Portugal’s picturesque and historic Montalegre track formed part of the original FIA World Rallycross Championship calendar back in 2014, and its undulating layout and unpredictable weather has produced many breathtaking battles over the years.

The 945m track is located 1,000m above sea level, requiring engines to be finely tuned to deal with the altitude. From a long start/finish straight, drivers brake hard for the first corner – a tight right-hand hairpin – before taking a little bit of kerb as they flick through the left-right chicane that follows.

A fast left-hander then leads downhill into a right as the surface turns from asphalt into the loose and sandy gravel that characterises Montalegre before a steep uphill climb precedes another left followed by a long, fast right-hander. The final section of the lap is marked by a tricky surface change and a series of chicanes – inviting drivers to brush the barriers on both sides, but without getting too close...

TRACK LENGTH: 945m

NO. OF CORNERS: 10 

PREVIOUS WINNERS (2021) - Round 7 Niclas Grönholm

SURFACE: 60% Asphalt, 40% Gravel.

JOKER LAP LOSS: 3.5 seconds (approximately)

FORMAT CHANGE:

The Qualifying heats will be renamed Heat 1, Heat 2, Heat 3 instead of Q1, Q2, Q3. There will be three heats only as opposed to the four that have existed over the last eight years. Heat 1 starting positions will be decided following a “Superpole” timed session instead of a draw.

Heat 4 will be replaced by a “Progression Race” to add one more decisive stage in the progress of the event towards access to the Semi-Finals. Starting position distribution for this Progression Race will be determined according to ranking after the 3 Heats. The Final phase remains with Semi-Finals and a Final, but with five-car starts. The highest qualified driver will have a free of starting position. Other changes include five laps in all races (Qualifying, Progression Race, Semi-Finals, Final) and no use of the Joker Lap allowed in Lap 1 if the Joker Lap is in Corner No.1.

CHAMPIONSHIP POINTS (for 2022 onwards):

Championship points will be awarded based on the final  classification on the Competition on the following basis: 

1st: 20 points

2nd: 16 points

3rd: 13 points

4th: 12 points

5th: 11 points

6th: 10 points

7th: 9 points

8th: 8 points

9th: 7 points

10th: 6 points

11th: 5 points

12th: 4 points

13th: 3 points

14th: 2 point

15th: 1 point

- The Teams’ Championship is open to World Championship teams fielding two cars, and includes all points scored by both of the team’s drivers at each event.

World RX Entry List - Lusorecursos World RX of Portugal 

*GCK Motorsport’s Lancia Delta Evo-e will not be ready to race in Hell due to the extensive development work required to incorporate the new technology into the car, it will appear on-track in World RX later in the season.

*The second All-Inkl.com Munnich Motorsport Seat Ibiza RX1e is currently being built.

2022 FIA World Rallycross Championship Standings (Drivers):

Johan Kristoffersson (Volkswagen Dealerteam BAUHAUS) 60 points

Kevin Hansen (Hansen World RX Team) 41 pts

Timmy Hansen (Hansen World RX Team) 41 pts

Ole Christian Veiby (Volkswagen Dealerteam BAUHAUS) 38 pts

Niclas Gronholm (CE Dealer Team) 31 pts

Gustav Bergstrom (Kristoffersson Motorsport) 31 pts

Klara Andersson (CE Dealer Team) 29pts

Rene Munnich (ALL-INLK Munnich Motorsport) 26 pts

2022 FIA World Rallycross Championship Standings (Teams):

Volkswagen Dealerteam BAUHAUS 98 points

Hansen World RX Team 82 pts

Construction Equipment Dealer Team 60 pts

ROUNDS 4 AND 5 - LUSORECURSOS WORLD RX OF PORTUGAL (CAT TIMES). 

SATURDAY:

PRACTICE: 10:05

SUPERPOLE: 11:30

HEAT 1: 13:10

HEAT 2: 14:40

PROGRESSION RACE: 16:10

SEMI-FINALS AND FINAL: (from) 18:00

GRID WRAP UP SHOW: 19:00 [RX+ only]

SUNDAY:

PRACTICE: 10:05

SUPERPOLE: 10:35

HEAT 1: 12:10

HEAT 2: 14:40

PROGRESSION RACE: 16:05

SEMI-FINALS AND FINAL: (from) 18:00

GRID WRAP UP SHOW: 19:00 [RX+ only]

All of the on-track entertainment and off-track features will be broadcast live on RX+. Event passes are available for €7,99, with the full season pass on sale for €49,99. More information can be found here.

Kristoffersson overturns deficit to clinch fourth title, as Grönholm wins dramatic final at the Nürburgring.

PHOTO CREDIT: Red Bull Content Pool

Johan Kristofferson overturned a four-point deficit to claim a record-breaking fourth World Rallycross title, as Niclas Grönholm won the final round of the season at snowy Nürburgring.

Before proceedings kicked off for the final day in Germany, the FIA issued Herve Knapick with a €250 fine for a breach of the COVID-19 quarantine protocol after the Frenchman tested positive for COVID-19 after two positive tests (Antigenic and PCR tests). This all happened after he was transported to the hospital following a scary accident in Q1 yesterday. 

Having demonstrated that he is a force to be reckoned with just a day earlier (Saturday), a calm Kristoffersson approached the final in the same attacking fashion.

Q1 saw the three-time World Champion lead from the front winning the session by 1.541s over Timmy Hansen followed by Krisztian Szabo, Anton Marklund, Niclas Grönholm, Yuri Belevskiy... with Kevin Hansen down in tenth. 

The conditions were a lot better on Sunday, as Timmy Hansen beat rival Kristoffersson in the Q2 heat, but it was Enzo Ide who won the session by 0.366s ahead of Hansen. After a strong second qualifier, Kevin jumped up the rankings to fourth followed by the GRX-SET duo of Szabo and Grönholm. 

PHOTO CREDIT: Red Bull Content Pool. 

With one qualifier remaining (Q3)... who will come out on top? 

It was a straight fight between the two-title protagonists - Timmy Hansen and Johan Kristoffersson.

Belgian Enzo Ide was on pole for the final qualifier with Hansen alongside, Kristoffersson and Kevin Hansen right behind.

The 2019 Champion had a very good start from second but ran deep into turn one, and with a smart cutback, Johan took the lead where he would remain to the checkered flag with Timmy Hansen right behind in second. The result meant that the KYB EKS JC driver claimed the top qualifiers spot ahead of Niclas, Timmy, and Kevin Hansen. 

The Hansen World RX Team were declared teams' champions after the three qualifying sessions.

Having finished second behind Johan - the three-time World Champion took one point out of Hansen's 4 point lead. The race to be World Champion was well and truly on! 

In semi-final one, Johan was in pole position with team-mate Enzo Ide alongside. Ide did not have the best of starts, as he hit Szabo (in the rear bumper), whilst Yuri Belevskiy also hit his rear bumper sending the Hungarian into a spin. 

The FIA Stewards failed to note or investigate Ide for the incident placing the blame solely on Belevskiy who was later disqualified from the semi-final. 

Kristoffersson won his respective semi-final ahead of Ide with Guerlain Chicherit claiming the final spot in the final.

The dramatic turn one incident in semi-final two
PHOTO CREDIT: Red Bull Content Pool

The second semi-final was rather dramatic... Timmy Hansen had a rather poor start from pole position, as Niclas Grönholm immediately tried to cover him off by blocking the inside line, but because he was not entirely clear. The momentum of both cars sent Niclas sideways and he slid off at turn one. 

The Hansen World RX Team driver lead from turn one to the checkered flag with younger brother Kevin right behind followed by Gronholm, Anton Marklund, Stefan Kristensson, and Davy Jeanney. 

Hansen was later handed a 7-second time penalty for "pushing and overtaking" demoting him to the final row of the final in Germany. 

With a one-point between the championship protagonists. Everything indicated that Johan would be champion if he makes it through turn one first...

Snow began to fall, as the tension built up on the grid for the season finale. Johan Kristoffersson on pole with Kevin Hansen alongside, and Timmy Hansen on the back row. 

Pole wasn't the place to be, as Kevin Hansen pulled clear of his fellow countrymen to lead into turn one, as Enzo Ide, Timmy, and Niclas got too close for comfort... a rallycross sandwich, with Ide on the outside spinning before the aggressive kerb at turn one.

Through turn one Kevin lead the way from Kristoffersson, Timmy Hansen, Niclas Gronholm, Chicherit, and a recovering Ide.

Feeling like he was being held up, the Audi driver immediately took the joker lap with Timmy on full attack diving into the joker carrying so much speed and momentum that the two made contact. They both emerged from the joker ahead of Enzo Ide... The race was on!

In an attempt to come out ahead of a flying Kristoffersson, Kevin Hansen took his joker a lap later and merged right in front of Chicherit, Kristoffersson, and Timmy. 

Into turn one, Kristoffersson used his straight-line speed to immediately dive up the inside of UNKORRUPTED driver to claim third in the running order. Whilst Timmy Hansen got stuck behind Chicherit but a few corners later he took the joker lap allowing Hansen to close on his rival ahead. 

Halfway through the final, Kevin Hansen began to slow the pace down controlling an attacking Kristoffersson behind in hopes of his older brother closing in and overtaking him. With the pace slowing down, Niclas was able to keep pumping in faster laps and create a good buffer for Hansen in second. 

As Kristoffersson continued to pile pressure on Kevin, his older brother slowly started dropping off the pace The younger of the Hansen brothers' did not buckle under the immense pressure holding him off as best as possible.

With just one lap in the final, the KYB EKS JC driver had another look on the inside of Kevin Hansen into turn two, as the Finn took the last lap joker to comfortably win the final by +4.011s ahead of Kevin Hansen closely followed by Johan Kristoffersson, Timmy Hansen, Guerlain Chicherit and Enzo Ide.

Directly after the final, Grönholm said: "The target was to try and win at least one race this season and we achieved that. We had quite good speed all weekend. There was some carnage in the first corners. It didn't look good for me after turn one, but I managed in the end. The guys calmed me down after the semi-final incident. It was good at the end and good tactics with the two cars in taking the joker, and I knew if I was the third car I would lose out. After that, I pushed hard for six laps." 

Kristoffersson finishing ahead of Timmy Hansen in the final meant the title rivals were level on points, a scene similar to that seen in 2019 in Cape Town, where Timmy Hansen came out on top, but this time it was not to be for the Swede, as he's fellow countrymen Johan Kristoffersson claimed the 2021 FIA World Rallycross Championship title on countback (of victories).

"To be able to take the fourth title with a new team, a new car/brand is just fantastic. It's been an extremely hectic season as well," Kristoffersson said.

"In Q1 Race 1, Barcelona we got a penalty and were disqualified at that point we didn't think about it because it was going to even itself out over the year. But, when it comes down to the last race in the last event then when every point counts it's extremely important.

"So, I am just very happy to be able to be here we had an extremely difficult start to the season, especially in France when we were looking good for a win and when I came back to the team they were just in tears. Now, I am looking forward to going back to them with a championship-winning trophy, and they will be in tears again."

FINAL RESULT:

1. Niclas GRÖNHOLM (FIN) GRX-SET World RX Team - 6 laps

2. Kevin HANSEN (SWE) Hansen World RX Team +4.031

3. Johan KRISTOFFERSSON (SWE) KYB EKS JC +4.259

4. Timmy HANSEN (SWE) Hansen World RX Team +5.480

5. Guerlain CHICHERIT (FRA) UNKORRUPTED +8.759

6. Enzo IDE (BEL) KYB EKS JC +16.091

2021 2021 WORLD RX DRIVERS STANDINGS:

1. Johan Kristoffersson, KYB EKS JC - 217pts

1. Timmy Hansen, Hansen World RX Team - 217

3. Niclas Grönholm, GRX-SET World RX Team - 197

2021 WORLD RX TEAMS STANDINGS:

1. Hansen World RX Team - 408pts

2. GRX-SET World RX Team - 359

3. KYB EKS JC -  342

Grönholm fights back to win first round of Riga double-header.

PHOTO CREDIT: Red Bull Content Pool

Niclas Grönholm fought back to take a commanding victory at round four of the FIA World Rallycross Championship despite a first-corner collision in Latvia earlier today. 

After a challenging start to the season thus far, Grönholm's season has finally taken a turn for the better. 

The Hyundai driver lined up alongside top qualifier Johan Kristoffersson in the final. With the pressure mounting, lights went out, and on the run into the first corner of the final, Kristoffersson and Grönholm had a door-to-door battle, as the Swede hoped onto the brakes later into the first corner and with some contact, Johan was rotated and slid backward into the outside barrier.

He led from the first corner with second-row start Timo Scheider climbing to second with Krisztian Szabo and the Hansen brothers behind. However, Scheider's second place was short-lived due to an electric issue that switched off his in Seat Ibiza after landing from the big jump. 

Scheider was able to complete a second lap but later retired. 

Fourth through the first corner, Timmy Hansen opted for a first lap joker, which would later gain him track position over Krisztian Szabo and his younger brother Kevin Hansen when they took their respective joker laps. 

Hansen's younger brother, Kevin had a tight battle with Szabo at the joker merge, but with his foot pinned to the gas. He was able to gain third on track, whilst Grönholm pulled out a healthy lead to take his joker rather comfortably and claim his fourth career victory, with the Hansen brothers rounding out the podium, despite a challenging first round in Riga. 

"It was a tough start to the season with two really bad races," Niclas Grönholm said. "France was a step towards something better, and we had good pace just a bit of luck that turned. It was a tough day but in the end quite a good one."

The 25-year-old Finn admits that he was a bit nervous about the first corner collision with Johan Kristoffersson. 

"I was a bit nervous because you always look at things a bit differently. I saw it as a racing incident. We both braked late, he braked a bit later than me and our wheels touched," he said. "I have no reason to take him out on purpose. It was just something that happened. I was a bit nervous coming over the line because I knew there would be an investigation, but now I'm happy."

GRX-SET endures 'another difficult weekend' at Höljes.

PHOTO CREDIT: GRX-SET World RX Team

Finnish Squad GRX-SET has had yet another difficult weekend at round two of the FIA World Rallycross Championship despite displaying pace worthy of challenging for top results in Höljes (Sweden).

Fastest overall in Free Practice to start the weekend, then third and fourth fastest times in Q1 and Q2 placed Niclas Grönholm third at the end of day one, but traffic in Q3 on Sunday morning, followed by a penalty for missing the joker lap in Q4 left the Finn fifth in the Intermediate Classification. 

The three-time World RX winner had a great launch from the second row of the grid in the semi-final and immediately took the joker lap, but contact from Peter Hedstrom pushed him into the track markers on the edge of the circuit. And, although he finished in a place good enough to qualify for the final, the Finn was handed a time penalty for hitting the track marker and didn’t make the final.

"On pace, we were a bit better on Sunday than Saturday and made some better launches, we improved quite a lot in that area actually, but unfortunately in Q4 we didn’t take the joker lap and got a penalty. That’s something that can happen quite easily – it was just an honest mistake from us," Grönholm said.

"We had quite a good starting position with good grip for the semi-final so I had a good launch, decided to joker on the first lap because I really didn’t have the chance to go on the normal lap with two cars inside me. It was really slippery in the joker where the track had been watered so I took it carefully, then took a hit from behind and couldn’t really do anything. I couldn’t take the normal route so I had to go across where the track marker was and got a penalty for hitting it and didn’t make the final. I don’t agree with the decision as I had no chance to take the normal line, so I’m a bit upset about that, a lot of points have been lost in the two first race weekends."

 

Team-mate Krisztián Szabó impressed yet again with solid pace, following a fourth-place finish in the opening round of the season. 

Sixth and third on day one put the Hungarian in the fight, before a pair of fourth fastest times on Sunday gave him a front-row start for the semi-finals. Battling throughout both the semi and final he ran as high as third in the final but didn’t have the pace to close out a podium finish and he finished fifth.

"It was a good weekend," he said. "I beat Johan Kristoffersson in our race in Q3 and I was very happy with that performance, that meant a lot to me, but compared to Saturday, Sunday wasn’t so good in general."

"I was hoping for better results on track, even if I was P4 in both Q3 and Q4. I started on the front row for the semi-finals which is something I’ve never achieved before, but for sure I missed something in the semi and final, I don’t know yet what that was but I will sleep on it."

 

Jussi Pinomäki (team principal) admits that it was yet another difficult weekend for the team, despite new recruit Szabó showing a good turn of speed. 

 

"It was another difficult weekend for us. I’m again pleased with the progress Krisztian is making. With more work he can really challenge in this championship," the Finn said.

The GRX-SET team principal leaves Sweden with a sour taste in his mouth, as he believes Niclas should not have received a penalty for hitting a track marker in the semi-final. 

"We totally disagree with the stewards’ decision for Niclas in the semi-final, which put an end to a hard weekend for him that started already in Q1. We fully understand that hitting track markers gets penalized, but when you are pushed there by another car then it is out of your hands," he said. "But, we have had difficult weekends before, and we have already put Holjes to the back of our minds. We have to do a lot better next time in France, and we will!"

Szabó claims best-ever World RX finish, as Grönholm crashes out.

PHOTO CREDIT: GRX-SET World RX Team

Hungarian Krisztián Szabó claimed a career-best result at round one of the 2021 FIA World Rallycross Championship at Circuit de Catalunya-Barcelona. 

Starting his first full season with the GRX-SET World RX Team, Krisztian improved every time he went on track through the course of the event, and from the second row of the semi-final grid, he then started on the second row of the final on his way to fourth.

"To be fourth in the final is my best result in World RX so that is very good as a start to the new season, and hopefully next time I can take a step higher onto the podium," Szabó said. "I’m finding more confidence in the car all the time, I’m finding more rhythm in myself and we fine-tuned the car through the weekend. The pace in the semi-final was fast, then in the final, I missed a little, but the guys in front of me were the very fast guys in the championship, so I am pleased."

Teammate Grönholm on the other hand had a difficult weekend, despite the Finn battling hard and delivering a strong performance to make the best of a challenging situation. He carried a small technical issue from the opening practice sessions that despite all of the experience of the Gronholm RX and SET Promotion engineers, couldn’t be resolved at the circuit.

Marcus Grönholm hinted that his son suffered from anti-lag and turbo issues, which the team later refuted. 

Despite that, Niclas delivered fast lap times, and managed to qualify fourth overall for the semi-finals, only for the weekend to be compounded by contact that sent him into a concrete wall at the second corner of the semi, putting him out and with damaged the car.

"It was a difficult weekend overall. I struggled since practice with finding pace in the car and driver. I think we found a bit more pace for Saturday, the car was feeling a bit more how I wanted and we were doing a bit better launches, but ultimately, we didn’t really have enough at any point in the weekend to close the gap to the top spots," Grönholm said. "It sadly ended in the semi-final with a crash into the wall. The car is in quite bad condition now, but we will fight back."

Jussi Pinomäki (team principal) has been left impressed by Krisztián Szabó's performance at Circuit de Catalunya-Barcelona.

"Krisztian did a solid job for himself and the team this weekend. He proved that with a little more experience racing against the competition he can be right up there fighting for podiums on a regular basis, so I am pleased with his performance," he said.

Whilst his team did not achieve their desired results this weekend, the Finn admits that his team will do everything they need to, to be ready for round 2 in Holjes next month. 

"As a team we have high hopes for World RX this year and with Niclas missing a bit of the pace we expected, it didn’t go to plan at all," Pinomäki said. "But, it’s not how or why you go down, it’s how you pick yourself back up again that counts and we have a great group of guys who I know will do everything we need to do in this short gap now before the next race in Sweden to make sure we are as ready as we can be."

Grönholm targets a "good start to the season" in Catalunya curtain-raiser.

PHOTO CREDIT: GRX-SET

Same same, but different... a new name and livery, but same team and dream. Yes, the name we've been accustomed to over the last few years "GRX Taneco" has changed to the GRX-SET World RX Team for the 2021 FIA World Rallycross Championship. 

It's been three years since the team made their debut appearance in the FIA World Rallycross Championship, and since then we've seen the rapid progression of the team from seventh overall to fourth in 2020. 

Whilst 2020 was challenging due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the season got underway eventually, and ended up being a Kristoffersson/Ekstrom fight, but Niclas was never too far away to capitalize on any mistake. He proves this in Kouvola beating Kristoffersson to claim his one and only win last year. 

Having finished fourth in the drivers' standings in 2019 and 2020, the only way is forward for the Finnish squad. 

Recently, the team completed testing in Inkoo, Finland in preparation for the season ahead, and with the new season ahead, comes a striking new look. Yes, the GRX-SET World RX Team has unveiled their livery(ries) for the 2021 season. 

Out with the old and in with the new... it's a concept that at times is hard to grasp, but with the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic, Timur Timerzyanov will not return for the full season and will be replaced by Krisztian Szabo this year. It's not all doom and gloom though because the Russian will return for selected outings this season. He will take the wheel of the third Hyundai i20 in Barcelona this coming weekend (his first outing). 

New look for the 2021 FIA World Rallycross Championship. Red is Gronholm and Green for Szabo.
PHOTO CREDIT: GRX-SET

Niclas Grönholm enters his sixth World RX season and has his eyes firmly set on the title in 2021, having claimed event wins in each of the last two campaigns. 

"Testing has gone very well and I’m very happy with the progress we’ve made. The feeling is good in the car, I could almost say that it's better than ever but we will see in Barcelona where we are with the pace," Grönholm said. "The track there is quite okay, not one of my favourites but quite enjoyable when you get it right."

"The goal is clear for this weekend, to finish in the top three to get a good start to the season. And the new livery, it’s nice! Quite similar to last year but a bit more simple - I like it!"

Alongside Niclas this season is double European Rallycross Champion, Krisztian Szabo, who is contesting his second full World RX campaign in 2021, having raced with the GRX-SET team in selected events last season.

"I like the track in Barcelona. I’ve never won there but I’ve had some good results back in my Super1600 (RX3) years. I love the circuit part of the track, and discovered the rhythm and tricks of it," Szabo said. 

The Hungarian impressed in a recent RallyX Nordic appearance in the car and will be one to watch this season.

"I’ve had the chance to drive the car quite a lot in the off-season, the RallyX Nordic race at Holjes was very useful and we did a two-day test last week specifically for Barcelona," he adds. "I feel myself, the team and the car are ready for the season-opener, but I don’t want to put pressure on myself with any expectations before we know anything about the other competitors."

Written By - Junaid Samodien

Grönholm and Szabó join forces to fight World RX title glory.

PHOTO CREDIT: RallyX Nordic

Niclas Grönholm and Krisztián Szabó will join forces for the 2021 FIA World Rallycross Championship, as the GRX-SET WORLD RX TEAM sets their sights on championship glory. 

Grönholm – the son of two-time FIA World Rally Champion Marcus Grönholm - has enjoyed a lengthy career in World RX since making his debut in 2015. He returned for the full 2016 campaign with Olsbergs MSE, before switching to his family-run GRX squad in 2017 behind the wheel of a Hyundai i20 Supercar. 

The team took a significant step forward in 2018, as they progressed to the final on four occasions with a newly developed Hyundai i20, which paved the way for a full title fight the following season. They went on to clinch three wins and four podium finishes, on course to second in the teams' championship standings. 

It's also worth noting that had Niclas not missed two rounds due to appendicitis, he could have challenged for the championship having ended the season just 25 points shy of the drivers' title. He claimed another race win in Kouvola, Finland holding off a fast-charging Kristoffersson to cement a fourth overall spot in the standings. 

The GRX squad used the off-season to test the new developments of their Hyundai i20 entering RallyX Nordic in Höljes. An event that saw Niclas walk away with two wins, whilst newly announced team-mate Szabó claimed a third-place finish. 

The 25-year-old returned for his home round at Ouluzone (Finland) and went on to claim yet another win ahead of three-time World RX champion Johan Kristoffersson. 

Having had a successful test program in RallyX Nordic, GRX-SET World RX Team now has a thorough understanding of how to extract maximum performance from their Hyundai i20 Supercars.

Grönholm admits that he is ready to fight for the biggest prize in international rallycross - the World Rallycross Championship crown. 

"My hopes for this season are quite simple – to fight for the championship. Last year was difficult, but I think we learned a lot and we are going in the right direction at the moment. We have done a lot of experiments with the car and found some good things, as well as some areas to work on," Niclas Grönholm said.

"I expect the competition to be similar to the 2019 and 2020 seasons – nothing will be won easily. We will need to be ready to fight and put in the work required at every round to have a chance to win. The events I’m most looking forward to are Sweden and Portugal – the tracks there are so nice – but also the Nürburgring because it’s new for everybody and nobody knows what to expect, which always makes things interesting."

His team-mate in 2021, Krisztián Szabó has enjoyed a lot of success in his junior career. He clinched his first car racing title at the age of 16 in the Hungarian Autocross Championship in 2008. 

He had further success in the FIA Junior Buggy championship in 2009 and 2009, before stepping up to the Buggy1600 category, where he claimed third in the European Championship in 2013. 

2014 saw the Hungarian make the switch rallycross, making his debut in the FIA European Rallycross Championship's Super1600 class. A year later, he claimed a third-place finish in the championship, setting the scene for consecutive Euro RX Super1600 crowns in 2016 and 2017. 

The 29-year-old then entered two Euro RX rounds in 2018 with Mattias Esktröm’s EKS Audi Sport squad with a second-place finish in Lohéac before making the switch to World RX a year later with EKS Sport, and despite a challenging season, he went on to claim tenth overall in the championship. 

Left without a season for the 2020 season, he joined up with the GRX-SET team for the Swedish and Latvian rounds progressing to the semi-finals on both occasions, but in 2021, he will return for the full campaign. 

"I’m very happy that I can continue with this great team, especially under [Team Principal] Jussi Pinomäki, and I’m even more pumped that I can finally play a part in fighting for the Teams’ championship. The Hyundai is very good – I love it – and it’s really great to work with Niclas; I can learn a lot from him and everyone in the team," Krisztián Szabó said.

"It’s hard to know where we will be, but I’m pretty optimistic that we will be fast this year. My personal aim for the season is to have strong and stable results and to be in the final as much as possible. After the first few rounds, we will know better where we are compared to the others and what we can aim for overall, but I believe we can be very strong contenders this year."

There is no doubt that it has a challenging road trying to secure the necessary funding to compete at World Championship level, due to the current economic climate, but with hard work, the Finnish squad will return in 2021 with one aim in mind, and that is to challenge for the drivers' and teams' championship.

Jussi Pinomäki admits that returning to the championship with Niclas and Krisztián can help the team deliver on their potential. 

“We have worked hard to be able to return this year, and it’s brilliant to do that with Niclas and Krisztián. I think together they can help us to deliver our potential at every event," Jussi Pinomäki, Team Principal, GRX-SET WORLD RX TEAM, said. "As Niclas says, nothing comes easy, especially at this level, but I’m very proud of our hard-working team and we will be doing everything we can to achieve the best results possible."

Today's announcement means that after three years with Grönholm RX team, Timur Timerzyanov will not return in 2021.