PHOTO CREDIT: Red Bull Content Pool |
Whilst nine-time WRC legend Loeb admits that "Johan Kristoffersson is clearly untouchable at the moment, but the podium is not so far." The Frenchman will aim to find a bit more pace this weekend.
Klara Andersson has continued to improve after becoming the first permanent female entrant since the series’ inception. Not only that, but she advanced to the final on her debut in Hell last year, beating team-mate Niclas Grönholm, a multiple event-winner.
"I am extremely excited to come back to Norway where we made our World RX debut last year. I have great memories from there and I look forward to build on the momentum from Portugal. It’s always a great atmosphere around the track in Hell, and I can’t wait to get going and fight for the podium," Andersson said.
Her reward was a long-term contract with the team, and on the basis of her impressive performance in the Montalegre season-opener earlier this month, a second podium to add to her historic top-three finish in Portugal last year can certainly not be ruled out.
Andersson is far from the only rapid female racer in the field in Norway. In the supporting, all-electric FIA RX2e Championship – which gets its five-round 2023 campaign underway this weekend – women make up 40% of the grid, with Extreme E front-runners Mikaela Åhlin-Kottulinsky, Cristina Gutiérrez, Catie Munnings, and Laia Sanz all set to do battle for glory (watch all the action on RX+)
THE CIRCUIT - LÅNKEBANEN, HELL.
THE TRACK:
2023 FIA WORLD RX OF NORWAY: 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