Johan Kristoffersson has gained the seventh spherical of the 2024 FIA World Rallycross Championship in model in Montalegre, Portugal, with one of many all-time nice world rallycross finals. The Swedish celebrity overcame the percentages to safe yet one more victory, adopted residence by Niclas Grönholm and Kevin Hansen.
Kristoffersson actually didn’t have all the pieces his personal method. Following a dramatic semi-final, by which he sustained a rear left puncture and consequentially important injury to the rear of the automobile usually, there was severe doubt as as to if his Volkswagen Polo KMS 601 RX would be capable of take to the ultimate grid in any respect. Nevertheless, the workforce at KMS – HORSE Powertrain labored wonders within the quick break between the races, getting the automobile prepared, not solely to race, however to take victory.
Race Report
World rallycross’s return to Portugal was set to be a shocking occasion and an important battleground within the “Battle of Applied sciences,” pitting inner combustion engine (ICE) automobiles up in opposition to their electrical counterparts. The acquired knowledge earlier than the occasion was that the lengthy straights and quick, flowing corners ought to favour the electrical autos.
Certainly, electrical automobiles have been main into the primary nook in each warmth race. Regardless of strain from the 2 Hansen World RX Workforce drivers, it was Kristoffersson in his ICE Polo that took wins in each of his heats. Within the different heats, it was Grönholm within the electrical CE Vendor Workforce automobile that claimed victory on each events.
Within the first semi-final, it was Kristoffersson versus Kevin Hansen. Hansen defended mightily from a storming Kristoffersson, with Kristoffersson battling very poor visibility due to the mud being thrown up. Following the tyre points, Kristoffersson was in a battle with Anthony Pelfrene. The French driver put in an outstanding drive to haul in and overtake the ailing Kristoffersson, however sadly a racing incident within the last sector noticed Pelfrene spin out of rivalry for a spot within the last.
In semi-final two, as soon as once more Grönholm was the person to beat, securing an ideal victory whereas battles raged behind. Timmy Hansen and Ole Christian Veiby have been locked collectively for many of the race earlier than a uncommon mistake from Hansen noticed him run large within the gravel part. Veiby didn’t want asking twice and slid by way of to take second.
The ultimate began as all the opposite races had with the electrics, spearheaded by Grönholm, taking the lead into the primary nook. Kristoffersson slotted his Polo into second to arrange a battle royale for the win. On the finish of the primary lap, Timmy Hansen, with extraordinarily poor visibility, ran large out of the ultimate chicane, ending up within the wall and out of the race. Kevin Hansen, nonetheless, accomplished his Joker on lap 1, staying out of hassle.
Kristoffersson and Grönholm battled laborious for the remainder of the race. When Kristoffersson dived into his Joker lap on lap 4, he nearly collided with Hansen on the merge however nearly managed to remain out of hassle, giving him free monitor to cost down after Grönholm. In a show of why he’s the championship chief and a six-time world champion, Kristoffersson did simply sufficient to squeeze out forward of Grönholm as soon as all of the Joker laps have been full. Grönholm in flip battled laborious all the best way to the road, with Kevin Hansen coming residence in third.
Driver Response
“This was actually a workforce victory” enthused Kristoffersson after the ultimate. “Since we arrived right here a few weeks in the past, we’ve been wanting into all the pieces we will do to be as quick as doable right here. What an ideal automobile, so satisfying to drive round right here. The semi-final didn’t go my method. Kevin did an ideal job, he was fast within the semi-final. I had flip 1 within the last. Niclas had nice tempo. I simply managed to be a little bit bit sooner by way of the Joker I believe. What a workforce effort to get the automobile again on grid!“
Championship Replace
With simply 3 rounds left within the championship, Kristoffersson now seems to be untouchable. He has 181 factors with Kevin Hansen in second, 48 factors adrift on 133. The battle for second is the place issues stay spicy. Hansen is simply 3 factors forward of Veiby, who’s himself simply 3 factors forward of Grönholm, with Timmy Hansen simply 4 factors behind him. Ten factors separate 2nd and fifth within the championship.
The Battle of Applied sciences is proving much less to be ICE versus electrical and extra Kristoffersson versus everybody else. Spherical 8 of the 2024 FIA World Rallycross Championship takes place on Sunday 8 September.
