The 'Battle of Technologies' has reached the fourth installment, as the FIA World Rallycross Championship heads south for 1,760-kilometers to Montalegre, where the pendulum could swing in favour of the electric-powered cars.
PHOTO CREDIT: Red Bull Content Pool
Mettet, Belgium, the scene of Rounds 5 and 6, of the FIA World Rallycross Championship saw some of the most thrilling action, as superb team-work by the Hansen brothers' saw Timmy Hansen end a nerely two-year winless streak by 2.2 seconds on Saturday afternoon [at round 5], but just a day later, six-time World Champion Kristoffersson returned to winning ways, crossing the checkered flag by 4.7 seconds to further extend his lead at the summit of the championship by 39-points.
Kristoffersson’s closest challenger in the championship after the Belgian double-header is team-mate Ole Christian Veiby, who claimed a second and third place finish, and has the Hansen brothers' hot on his heels just 5 points a drift.
The Hansen brothers' were consistently quick off the line in Mettet, and applied a lot pressure to the ICE-powered cars on the run to turn one, but without brilliant team-work seen on Saturday, a win probably would not have been possible for Timmy Hansen [also taking into account that Kristoffersson had a puncture], but now heading to the high-atltitude Montalegre track, the Hansen World RX team believes that they might have an edge with their electric powered cars.
Much like the Hansen's, the electric-powered CE Dealer Team's Niclas Grönholm has one clear goal this weekend, and that is to score big points in both rounds.
The ice cool Finn along with Kristoffersson are the only current drivers to have won at the Portuguese track in both 2021 and 2022 – while it was at Montalegre that Klara Andersson made history two years ago as the first female ever to reach the podium in World Rallycross.
Brining up the rear of the field are ALL-INKL.COM Muennich Motorsport’s René Münnich and JDM Raptor Racing's Anthony Pelfrene in sustainably-fuelled combustion machinery, and will both be hoping for improved results.
THE TRACK: CIRCUITO INTERNACIONAL DE MONTALEGRE
Track Length: 1146 meters in length
Joker Lap: 1155 meters
Tarmac/Dirt: 60%/40%
Previous Winner [2023]: Johan Kristoffersson
World RX Debut: 2014
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...
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| PHOTO CREDIT: Red Bull Content Pool |
KMS-HORSE Powertrain
DRIVER: Johan Kristoffersson:
"It's a very fun experience to drive a supercar on that track. Challenging weather and fast turnarounds. You can count on that. We know we will be behind at the start in Montalegre, but maybe there are some parts out on the track where we can be fast. In that sense, Lohéac was a good preparation. Both myself and Ole Christian also have two reprimands, so it's important not to get into all situations and risk punishment."
DRIVER: Ole Christian Veiby
"The most difficult challenge for us so far. If we can keep our distance from the others, we must be satisfied. It's going to be tough, but in any case it's a very fun track we're going to. I'm looking forward to driving there".
HANSEN WORLD RX TEAM
DRIVER: Timmy Hansen
“The results in Belgium were just what the team needed and we’re going to be riding that momentum into these next rounds in Portugal. The track at Montalegre is one that both Kevin and I enjoy, and our family have had some success here before, so we’ll be channelling that and everything we have learned so far this season into this weekend’s races.
"The testing that we did after Hungary really paid off and the car is feeling so much better. Thanks to that and some amazing teamwork we are still in the fight and the team are feeling great. We will keep giving it everything we’ve got and if we keep playing the game right maybe we can steal some more wins.”
DRIVER: Kevin Hansen
“I think finally we can say we have reached a track where we might have a little bit of an advantage. That long straight should suit our electric cars, and it’s going to be great to look at that from the start line knowing that we have more power. Hopefully we can nail our starts and be first heading into the first corner.
"I’m really looking forward to being back in Portugal. We have a lot of Hansen fans there thanks to our dad's success in the past, so I can’t wait to be back sending it round the big curbs and gravel section and hopefully getting my first win of the season!”
CE DEALER TEAM
DRIVER: Niclas Grönholm
“It's been a tough few races in a row, and our clear goal for Portugal is to bounce back and score strong points in both events. With only a few races left, it's crucial that we make these count to ensure we're in a good position heading into the final in China and we are ready for it!"
DRIVER: Klara Andersson
"I'm really excited to return to Portugal, where we have great memories from our first historic podium finish. I love the track, especially the final sector which is one of the best in the world. After a tough weekend in Belgium, our focus is on collecting points and getting back into the title fight - continuing to show the thrills of sustainable motorsport"
2024 FIA WORLD RX OF PORTUGAL: ENTRY LIST
Johan Kristoffersson (KMS-Horse Powertrain) - VW Polo KMS 601 RX
Ole Christian Veiby (KMS-Horse Powertrain) - VW Polo KMS 601 RX
Timmy Hansen (Hansen World RX Team) - Peugeot 208 RX1e
Kevin Hansen (Hansen World RX Team) - Peugeot 208 RX1e
Niclas Gronholm (CE Dealer Team) - PWR RX1e
Klara Andersson (CE Dealer Team) - PWR RX1e
Rene Munnich (ALL-INLK Munnich Motorsport) - Seat Ibiza
Anthony Pelfrene (JDM Raptor Racing) - Peugeot 208 WRX
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