Kevin Hansen has gained the eighth spherical of the 2024 FIA World Rallycross Championship. The Swedish driver secured his first victory of the season in fantastic vogue in Montalegre, Portugal, holding off a decided cost from Saturday’s winner Johan Kristoffersson. 2019 champion Timmy Hansen got here dwelling in third, giving Hansen World RX Group one other double-podium so as to add to their assortment.
Race Report
Because the second day of the double-header occasion in Portugal bought underway, it regarded as if Sunday might see a repeat of Saturday’s success for Kristoffersson. The Swedish celebrity charged into the primary nook of his first warmth race in 4th, however got here out of the nook in 1st, muscling by way of in his Volkswagen Polo KMS 601 RX to take victory. In the meantime Timmy Hansen bounced again from a disappointing finish to his Saturday racing with a assured efficiency, securing victory in each of his warmth races.
Kevin Hansen made an impressed determination in his second warmth race, diving for his Joker on the primary lap of the race. This allowed him to repeatedly log quick lap instances whereas the remainder of the sphere squabbled for place, which means that, when the mud cleared, it was a Hansen World RX Group lockout of victories in warmth 2.
Semi-final 1 noticed each Hansens line up alongside one another with Klara Andersson and Anthony Pelfrene for firm. The Hansens executed some good fraternal teamwork to close the door on Andersson within the first nook, permitting the 2 Peugeot 208 RX1e drivers to drag away from the pack. In the meantime, Andersson and Pelfrene have been engaged in a incredible battle for third, with the Frenchman doing simply sufficient to defend from a charging Andersson and safe his place within the ultimate. On account of a observe restrict violation, nevertheless, he was cruelly disqualified from the ultimate.
Niclas Grönholm bought an excellent begin in semi-final 2 in his electrical PWR RX1e, however sadly didn’t have the tempo to take care of the 2 inner combustion engine (ICE) KMS – HORSE Powertrain vehicles of Kristoffersson and Ole Christian Veiby. Unusually, it was Veiby who bought the higher of Kristoffersson on this event, coming dwelling first within the semi-final to line up alongside Kevin Hansen within the ultimate.
Timmy Hansen bought the higher begin of the Hansen brothers within the ultimate, launching from the second row of the grid into the lead. Kevin had the within line out of the flip and used the chance to dive into the Joker, adopted by Kristoffersson. An excellent transfer by Veiby up the within of Timmy Hansen at flip 9 handed him the lead of the race as they began the second lap.
An excellent battle then ensued between Veiby and Hansen for the remainder of the race, together with some spectacular synchronised sliding on the gravel part, with Timmy making a forceful transfer to retake the lead only a few corners later. In the meantime, Kevin Hansen was closing up on the lead pack, defending from Kristoffersson all of the whereas, with the six-time world champion throwing each trick within the e book to attempt to get previous. Nonetheless, by the top of the race with all of the Joker laps full, Kevin Hansen managed to remain in entrance and take a totally well-deserved victory.
Driver Response
“What an excellent technique! We had just a few completely different choices however I believe that one was meant to be” defined an ecstatic Kevin Hansen after the race. “Nice job by the Hansen workforce this weekend. The Purple Bull automotive was flying on the market. I had a lot confidence. Yesterday was so shut. Immediately, Johan was there however, on this present day, we have been untouchable. Johan was on my bumper the entire manner. They’re nonetheless quicker, however that is what it means. Once we’re just a little bit behind, we will play the sport and we will win races.”
Kristoffersson was very happy with the weekend’s consequence. “To gather probably the most factors with out being first in a single launch. It’s important to admit that could be a profitable weekend” he enthused. His teammate, Veiby, then again was dissatisfied. “He [Timmy Hansen] overtook me, I bought previous once more on the final lap, however then he hit my entrance wheel which broke my drive shaft . I solely had rear wheel drive on the finish. It was a disgrace. I believe I deserved extra at present.”
Championship Replace
There are nonetheless two rounds to go within the 2024 FIA World Rallycross Championship. Nonetheless, it have to be stated that it might take a outstanding plot twist to see victory go to anybody aside from Johan Kristoffersson. He leaves Portugal with 206 factors, 46 factors forward of his nearest rival, Kevin Hansen. The battle for 2nd continues to be spicy, with Veiby simply 11 factors behind Kevin. Timmy Hansen strikes as much as 4th within the standings, simply 2 factors behind Veiby, with Grönholm simply beginning to slide again just a little, however nonetheless solely 8 factors behind Timmy.
These two remaining rounds are one thing of an unknown at this stage. All we all know is it’s billed because the World RX of China and takes place on 19/20 October. One that is for sure, nevertheless: the 2024 FIA World Rallycross Championship will proceed to ship glorious racing.
