"I gave it everything until the very end" - Timmy Hansen.

PHOTO CREDIT: Red Bull Content Pool

Timmy Hansen left satisfied despite coming out second best to title rival Johan Kristoffersson in the tense World RX of Germany final at a snowy Nürburgring on Sunday. 

Having entered the final weekend (double-header) of the season with a 17-point advantage, Timmy Hansen had one target in mind, and that was to limit the gap between himself and countrymen Kristoffersson. 

On Saturday, the gap was brought down to just four points, after Timmy was disqualified from the final for contact with Niclas Gronholm. Had he not been penalized the gap would have been 9 points to Kristoffersson heading into the final day, but that was not to be. 

Sunday saw Timmy Hansen top the one-lap morning warm-up session just fractionally faster than Johan, but the three-time World Champion fought back to win Q1 with Hansen right behind in second. 

With two qualifying sessions remaining (Q2 and 3), Kristoffersson maintained his lead at the front claiming the top qualifiers spot, sealing pole position for the all-important semi-finals. 

Just requiring a handful of points on Sunday, the Hansen World RX Team claimed their third FIA World Rallycross Teams’ Championship with the semi-finals and finals remaining.

World RX of Germany - FINAL
PHOTO CREDIT: Red Bull Content Pool

Johan Kristoffersson won semi-final one sealing pole position for the final, whilst Timmy Hansen had to win semi-final two to line-up alongside his rival and have a chance to win the title. But, after a slow start, Niclas Gronholm had other plans after his very good start immediately bolting over to try and cover off Timmy, but because he was not 100% clear of the Peugeot driver. They made contact sending the Finn sideways... and off at turn one. Hansen won the semi-final but was later handed a 7 second time penalty dropping him to third.

Kristoffersson on pole for the final, with Kevin Hansen alongside on the front row, and Timmy Hansen on the back row of the grid with a 3 point lead in the championship. It was all to play for... 

From pole, Kevin had a very good start from second place immediately blocking Kristoffersson, with Timmy right behind. As the final progressed, the younger Hansen brother slowed down the pace hoping that Timmy would be able to overtake his rival, but due to dirt blocking his windshield the visibility was very low hampering his pace. 

Johan went on to finish third and Timmy fourth, which meant the drivers’ championship ended level on points. A scene last-seen in 2019, where Timmy Hansen came out victorious, but this time around with three wins to his name. It was Johan Kristoffersson who clinched a fourth world title on countback. 

"This has been a fantastic season we've had with plenty of success and some great rallycross action. I gave it everything I had right until the very end but it feels a bit unfair with the size and number of penalties that were handed out this weekend. Opportunities to get the job done were taken away because of that and I don't agree with the outcome of those judgments, of course," Timmy Hansen said.

"We were on the top of our game today, doing everything we could and should have, and were right where we had to be. In the end, we finished equal on points and that explains the story of the season really. Johan was unlucky when we were on form and winning three events back-to-back with one-two finishes; towards the end, we had our own fair share of bad luck.

"It's a hell of a story, one that's great for the sport. I'm proud of this season and proud of my performance this weekend, my team, and my family. I'm looking forward to the future."

Despite coming out second best to Kristoffersson this season, the 2021 runner-up Timmy Hansen congratulates the newly crowned four-time World Champion.

"Johan did a fantastic job this weekend," Hansen said. "He knew he had to come here and win everything. He pulled off a great performance and if you are going to lose, I suppose that is the way for it to happen. It's a great sporting achievement by him."

Kristoffersson within touching distance of fourth-title, as title rival Hansen is disqualified in Germany.

PHOTO CREDIT: Red Bull Content Pool

Timmy Hansen's lead in the FIA World Rallycross drivers' championship has been cut to four points, as three-time World Champion Johan Kristoffersson reigns supreme in a tricky World RX of Germany - Round 8 on Saturday afternoon. 

After overnight snow at the Nurburgring, conditions were quite treacherous, and that was seen when practice eventually got underway after a 30-minute delay. Driver's were slipping and sliding trying to find the ideal line, etc.

Whilst the Hansen brothers' topped the practice session, Kristoffersson was right behind ready to strike back.

Kristoffersson topped Q1 ahead of newcomer Yuri Belevskiy, with title rival Timmy Hansen in third after winning his respect heat, but the most worrying moment of the first qualifying session was when Herve Knapick's Citroen launched off a kerb on the entry to turn four, which launched his car into the trackside catch fence. 

Race control later reported that Knapick was "okay" and was transported to the hospital for precautionary checks. No updates have been provided as yet [find the update on @JunaidSamodien_ on Twitter]

Herve Knapick's Citroen following the collision with the barriers.
PHOTO CREDIT: Red Bull Content Pool

The FIA Stewards later announced the cancellation of Q3 due to time constraints meaning two qualifying sessions would dictate the top qualifying positions for the semi-final and final.

With a good start, Niclas Gronholm went on top Q2 ahead of Yuri Belevskiy and Johan Kristoffersson, with Timmy Hansen in fourth. 

A quick turnaround saw the top 12 line-up on the grid for the semi-final. 

The KYB EKS JC driver did not have the best start, as Gronholm led on the run to turn one, but outbroke himself and ran wide allowing Kristoffersson to slip past and take the lead. A position that he would remain to the checkered flag sealing pole position for the final. 

The GRX-SET World RX duo Gronholm and Krisztian Szabo progressed to the final as well, as Guerlain Chicherit, title hopeful Kevin Hansen and Stefan Kristensson would go no further. 

Having finished fourth after the two qualifying sessions, championship leader Timmy Hansen started alongside Yuri Belevskiy, and with a slightly better start, the Swede tried to capitalize on his speed into turn one but ran a touch wide, with Belevskiy sliding through to take the lead. From there, the debutant was untouchable winning semi-final 2 ahead of Timmy Hansen, Enzo Ide, Davy Jeanney, Anton Marklund, and Tamas Karai. 

Timmy Hansen was later handed a five-second time penalty for contact with Ide, demoting him to the back row of the grid for the final.

A messy turn two with drivers battling for position on track in the final.
PHOTO CREDIT: Red Bull Content Pool

The scene was set for a mouth-watering final (round eight), with Kristoffersson on pole and Yuri Belevskiy alongside him (in a recently purchased EKS Audi S1).

Could the RX3 Champion beat the reigning World RX Champion? It was time to find out!

Johan had a great start off the line, as Yuri bogged off the line. Starting from row two, Enzo Ide quickly jinked right to try and cover off Timmy Hansen who started behind on the last row. 

Trying to capitalize on track position should Kristoffersson run wide, Gronholm slotted in behind the bumper of the Swede. 

Belevskiy's poor start sent him backward, whilst Gronholm took a heavy hit from Enzo Ide launching his Hyundai i20 into the air, as the cars slowed for turn 1. But that was not all for the ice-cool Finn. He also had a slight nudge from Timmy Hansen who jumped on the side... the contact from both drivers send Niclas off at turn one rejoining in last. 

With the drama behind, Belevskiy capitalized and slide up the inside of Hansen into turn 2. The latter tried fighting back up gave up the ghost following the debutant with Krisztian Szabo, Enzo Ide, and Niclas Gronholm behind. 

On the run down to turn four, Enzo Ide pulled off the track with some sort of issue, but soon rejoined, as Krisztian Szabo immediately opted for a first-lap joker. 

As Kristoffersson slowly began to draw clear from the pursuing Belevskiy, Timmy Hansen hung onto his bumper ready to pounce should he make an error. But, having seen that he was fractionally faster, Hansen ducked into the joker lap trying to gain an advantage. 

Hansen emerged from the joker lap right behind Niclas Gronholm and ahead of Szabo who jokered on the first lap.  

On a full push from lap 3, Kristoffersson was already 2.237s clear of second-place running Belevskiy, as Hansen continued his charge. 

In a formation for at least two more laps... the KYB EKS JC driver continued to stretch an advantage over Belevskiy.

With just a joker lap to go for the top three runners: Kristoffersson, Belevskiy, and Gronholm. Would Timmy Hansen be able to gain a few places? 

At the merge, Kristoffersson came out comfortably in the lead, but it was Timmy Hansen who just about came out ahead of Belevskiy to take second, with Krisztian Szabo in fourth followed by Niclas Gronholm and Enzo Ide (in fifth) at the checkered flag. 

Kristoffersson describes the day, as "mentally tough" due to the delays and other drama behind the season. 

"The day started with a lot of snow and I really enjoyed that. Such tricky conditions! Then I tried to adapt to a new track with snow, and no studded tyres. It was tricky but very eventful," Kristoffersson said.

"I didn't have the good starts today, but I managed to overtake Niclas [Gronholm] in the semi-final when he outbroke himself. 

"The visibility in the final was very difficult with the low sun and I was out first. So, I can only imagine how it was for those behind me. Timmy coming from the back row to finish second is good. He is up for a fight tomorrow, so it's going to be a very eventful day." 

A couple of minutes after the final, Gronholm was seen walking over to Timmy Hansen opening his door and voicing his dissatisfaction for what had happened at turn one.

The Stewards later announced an official investigation into the turn one incident involving Niclas Gronholm, Enzo Ide, and Timmy Hansen in the final, and after some deliberation. They disqualified both Timmy Hansen and Enzo Ide for "pushing and overtaking".

With the penalties awarded, Kristoffersson was the victor, whilst Yuri Belevskiy moved up a step to second with Krisztian Szabo to third. 

Having had a challenging opening half of the season due to punctures and technical issues, Johan Kristoffersson has taken a mighty leap towards clinching a four World title. He might be four points behind Timmy Hansen, but his performance today should that he was on a mission. 

If Timmy Hansen hopes to win a second title, he would have to outperform a highly motivated Kristoffersson, and outperform him in nearly every area, as the slightest area will be costly. 

Timmy Hansen feels "much more relaxed this year" heading into the World RX finale.

PHOTO CREDIT: Red Bull Content Pool

The Hansen World RX Team is heading to the FIA World Rallycross season finale with a lead in both the drivers’ and teams’ championships, as Timmy and Kevin Hansen prepare to do battle at the famous Nürburgring circuit.

The older Hansen brother, Timmy arrives in Germany with a 17-point lead in the drivers' standings over nearest rival Johan Kristoffersson, putting him in a strong position to chase after a second world championship title to add to his 2019 success.

"While the stakes are high this weekend I'm going to be boring and be my normal self, approaching it as normal! No tactics, no extra send, just racing the same way as I always do. I'll be trying to drive fast, be smart, and not taking too many risks. That's the only approach that we can have. From a driving perspective you can only really do worse if you rethink your approach for a title decider," Timmy Hansen said.

"It's a much nicer feeling going for a second world championship title than the first time back in 2019. I feel much more relaxed this year; I'm two years older which also probably helps! Last time I was very nervous and it was a tough weekend but now I'm feeling great and looking forward to racing these ICE cars one last time."

Whilst the 2021 season draws to a close. It also marks an end of an era. Which era you ask? Well! It will be the final weekend of the internal combustion-engined (ICE) era, as the FIA World Rallycross Championship goes fully electric in 2022. 

"This definitely feels like the end of an era, with the ICE cars going into retirement after this weekend, and we should treat it that way too," Hansen adds. "It's an opportunity to say thank you to these cars and the racing they have produced over the years. While it's sad to say goodbye to them, it's also exciting as rallycross is moving to all-electric cars next year, which should be faster than anything we've seen in rallycross before. I hope I can help the 208 WRX bow out in style."

Younger brother Kevin also remains in the title fight and is only two points behind Kristoffersson in third, ensuring he still has an opportunity to claim a first-world title.

"Coming into the season finale third in the title race and looking to make things happen at the last round isn't a new situation for me! I'm a little further behind now than in 2019 but I learned a lot that time around. This time I'll be able to enjoy it much more and try to do my best for myself and the whole team to finish off the year in style," Kevin Hansen said.

"It will be two very action-packed days; the sun goes down early at this time of year so we're doing a lot of racing in quite a small time window. That means we need to find a very clever balance between pushing and taking risks to win with avoiding mistakes, as there's so little time to make changes and repairs between sessions."

"I'll be hoping for a good grid draw and if that goes well, then it's about focusing on getting the small details right."

Both drivers’ excellent form has put the family-run team in the driving seat to clinch a third World RX teams’ championship crown in eight years, as the team holds a comfortable 61-point lead over GRX-SET with only 112 available at the last two rounds.

Guerlain Chicherit replaces Kevin Abbring at UNKORRUPTED for German double-header.

PHOTO CREDIT: GCK Motorsport

Following a headline-grabbing announcement earlier this week confirming GCK Motorsport's return to the FIA World Rallycross Championship in 2022. 

Guerlain Chicherit has today confirmed that he will replace Kevin Abbring for the season finale (double-header) at the Nurburgring this weekend. 

"I couldn't turn down a chance to visit..." Chicherit said. "Really excited to come back to World RX this weekend for a double-header at Nurburgring with UNKORRUPTED, standing in for my friend Kevin Abbring."

Abbring, who has raced the UNKORRUPTED Renault Megane R.S. RX this season qualified for the finals on three occasions this season, including a podium finish in Sweden and a fourth place in France a round later. He, unfortunately, missed the Portuguese round last month which resulted in a 10,000 euro fine for the team. The Dutchman will finish the championship in sixth overall (on 97 points). 

The team will avoid another penalty this weekend, as Guerlain takes the steering wheel of the Renault Mégane R.S. RX, he last raced in 2019. 

The team confirms: "Kevin was unable to make it so Guerlain jumped in."

After a 13-month absence from the World RX grid, the Frenchman returns in what is expected to be a proper wintery affair (snow). 

German World RX postponed as Nürburgring assists disaster relief effort

PHOTO CREDIT: FIA World RX Media

The second and third rounds of the FIA World Rallycross Championship set to be held at the Nürburgring next week have been postponed due to the ongoing effects of the widespread recent flooding in the region.

The World Championship will get underway in Barcelona this weekend, followed by the Nürburgring, which was set to follow a week later, on 31 July - 1 August. However, the wide-ranging recent floods in Germany has forced the postponement of the event, with the Nürburgring having become a focal point of the rescue and recovery efforts as a collection and distribution centre. 

The rescheduled doubleheader will now act as the 2021 season finale over the weekend of 27-28 November. Existing tickets will remain valid for the new date.

"Everybody has seen the pictures of the devastating recent flooding in Germany, and whilst the Nürburgring itself has thankfully been largely spared by this natural disaster, the same cannot, unfortunately, be said for the surrounding area," Arne Dirks, Executive Director, Rallycross Promoter GmbH, said. "It is important to remember that there are far more important matters at stake here than rallycross, and we must pay immense tribute to the event organisers, who have worked night and day to help the humanitarian efforts."

"At the same time, they have collaborated very closely with us as the World Championship promoter and the FIA to find a solution to reschedule the event, and we are very much looking forward to going to this legendary venue later in the year for what promises to be a pulsating season finale – with the World Rallycross Champion set to be crowned at one of motorsport’s most iconic venues."

This means World RX of Sweden at Höljes will now become round two of the current campaign on 20-22 August.