Johan Kristoffersson has greater than made up for the problems suffered at spherical 3 of the 2024 FIA World Rallycross Championship by dominating the motion at spherical 4. The second day on the “Purple Cauldron” in Nyirád, Hungary, belonged to no-one else however the Swedish driver and KMS – HORSE Powertrain, with teammate Ole Christian Veiby making it a one-two for the Swedish crew.
The “Battle of Applied sciences” noticed the electrical automobiles safe victory in spherical 3 on Saturday, however within the ultimate on Sunday, the interior combustion engine (ICE) automobiles had been in a category of their very own. After safely navigating the primary nook, Kristoffersson set about establishing a dominant lead. Certainly, he completed a unprecedented 10.8 seconds forward of his nearest rival, an age in rallycross phrases. Veiby, in the meantime, made up for a lacklustre begin by taking the joker lap on the primary time of asking, enabling him to undercut his rivals and find yourself ending 2nd behind his all-conquering teammate.
Klara Andersson, who received each of her warmth races and got here second in her semi-final, made an excellent begin within the ultimate, getting alongside and forward of Kevin Hansen who began on the entrance row of the grid by the tip of the primary nook. As soon as all of the automobiles had taken their joker laps, Andersson emerged forward of 2019 world champion Timmy Hansen. As Veiby left them behind, Andersson and Hansen placed on an excellent show for the followers, with with Hansen throwing every little thing on the CE Vendor Workforce driver. Andersson defended mightily and managed to safe one other podium end.
Hansen World RX Workforce have to be questioning what’s going improper for them. Each drivers demonstrated excellent tempo all through the weekend and challenged for victories, together with Kevin Hansen successful his second warmth and his semi-final, however nonetheless a podium end eludes them in 2024. The hero of Saturday, Niclas Grönholm, additionally confronted disappointment as he was compelled to retire in his semi-final when his rear left tyre got here away from the wheel.
René Münnich completed sixth within the German’s first go to to an occasion ultimate in 2024. He was aided in his look there by native hero Jankó Wieszt struggling an enormous crash at the beginning of his semi-final. There was a racing incident coming along with Veiby that sadly span the Hungarian right into a heavy influence with the wall. Anthony Pelfrene had no such contact, however missed out on a spot within the ultimate after a 4th place end in his semi-final.
Driver Response
Kristoffersson was far more ebullient following Sunday’s efficiency than Saturday’s. “Large because of the crew, they labored extraordinarily exhausting final night time to make repairs and gave me a really quick automotive” the Swedish celebrity acknowledged. “It’s been an excellent first expertise right here in Hungary and it’s been good to see so many followers. I acquired an excellent begin within the ultimate and will then management the race from there.” In alarming information for his rivals, he admitted “I wasn’t pushing exhausting. I simply tried to drive easily and keep away from making any errors. If I’d wanted an actual ‘killer’ lap, I’m fairly certain I may have gone faster.”
Championship Replace
Kristoffersson has strengthened his dominance on the high of the championship standings. He now has an virtually ridiculous 101 factors after 4 rounds, along with his teammate 25 factors behind him. The 2 CE Vendor crew drivers proceed their custom of being tied on factors, with Andersson and Grönholm in joint third on 67 factors. Timmy and Kevin Hansen are proper behind them on 66 and 65 factors respectively. It received’t take a lot for the Hansens to reverse their fortunes and leapfrog their electrical rivals.
