Johan Kristoffersson has officially clinched the 2023 World RX. Winning the sixth championship of his career.
Been Here Before
Johan Kristoffersson has won the 2023 World RX championship. Making this his sixth championship in seven years. The only time Kristoffersson didn’t win the championship in those seven years was 2019. When Timmy Hansen won the championship. Kristoffersson was absent from the sport. Making this Kristoffersson’s sixth championship in the last six seasons he’s competed in. This time round Kristoffersson has secured the championship with one round remaining. Kristoffersson will likely take the final round of the season somewhat easy as he has nothing to push for.
Johan Kristoffersson was head and shoulders ahead of his competitors to start the season. However, everything changed before round four. As a fire involving the Special One racing team brought the season to a halt. The season would continue however drivers wouldn’t use their WRX1e cars that they started the season in. Instead, they would drive the ZERIOD X1, the car used in RX2e. This took every advantage Kristoffersson’s Volkswagen gave him away. As now everyone would be in the same exact car. Kristoffersson started what would become round four how you’d expect him to start. As he took home the win, despite losing his first Superpole in over a year to Kevin Hansen. Round five saw Kristoffersson’s win streak end. As Timo Scheider took home the event win.
A Battle For Second
With the championship out of the question, the focus for drivers now turns to a battle for second place. Just 13 points separate Kevin Hansen from Timo Scheider and Niclas Grönholm heading into the final round of the season. Sure second isn’t necessarily something people clamor over, but it makes for an interesting topic to have in mind while watching. It’s also something that will likely be kept in the back of drivers minds all day during the event. As at the end of the day, a top three finish in a championship isn’t bad.
The 2023 World RX season continues this weekend with the World RX Of Hong Kong. Find out all you need to know below.
Championship Standings
Johan Kristoffersson retained the championship lead after the World RX Of South Africa. Despite only winning one round of the double header. Kevin Hansen moved up to second from third after the event. Hansen now sits 36 points back from Kristoffersson. Timo Scheider also moved up in the championship standings. Moving up to third, 3 points behind Hansen. Niclas Grönholm dropped from second to fourth last time out. Now sitting 5 points behind Scheider. 2019 champion Timmy Hansen rounds out the championship top five heading into the final two rounds of the season. With Timmy Hansen sitting 4 seconds behind Grönholm.
The Season Finale
The World RX Of Hong Kong will wrap up the 2023 World RX season. The 2023 championship still has yet to be won. Johan Kristoffersson is the favorite to win his sixth championship this weekend. However, anything can happen. All it would take is one unfavorable result from Kristoffersson for Kevin Hansen to have a strong chance at his first. With all drivers once again piloting the ZERIOD X1, there is little room for error. As generally there’s only a couple tenths of a second to gain on opposing drivers.
Due to the three missed rounds for the RX1e class drivers, the World RX Of Hong Kong has been made a double header. As a result of the schedule change, the event will use a different format than normal weekends. As instead of four heat races there will only be three and they will all take place on the same day. Everything else stays the same, it’s just all in one 6 or 7-hour long day. There will also be support classes racing during the time the RX2e cars are recharging for the next round of racing.
Earlier this week it was announced that Patrick O’Donovan will be making his World RX debut in Hong Kong next month.
O’Donovan’s 2023 Euro RX Season
Patrick O’Donovan competed in the European RX for the 2023 season. Driving an ex-Hansen World Rallycross Team Peugeot 208, O’Donovan took home 3rd in his first event with the car. In Portugal and Norway O’Donovan finished fifth. In just his fourth event in the car, O’Donovan claimed his first and only Euro RX win to date. At the event in Belgium, he finished 8th overall. O’Donovan capped off the season with a 2nd overall in Germany. In his first full Euro RX season O’Donovan finished third in the championship, 10 points behind Jänis Baumanis.
A History With The ZEROID X1
Patrick O’Donovan will come into the World RX as one of the most experienced drivers in the ZEROID X1. Having spent two seasons in the car. In 2021 O’Donovan made his debut in the ZEROID X1. He started off the season with a third-place finish in Barcelona. From there he had mixed results. Finishing below top five at the rest of the events in 2021 on the way to finishing third in the RX2e championship. Tied for third with Pablo Suárez. In 2022 things started much of the same for the Brit, as he once again failed to finish top five at the first two events of the season. However, things would turn around in rounds three and four. With O’Donovan taking home the win at both events. He would end of the 2022 season finishing 7th in Catalunya to finish fourth in the championship, 5 points behind Nils Andersson.
Joining A Legendary Team
For the World RX of Hong Kong O’Donovan will suit up alongside Kevin and Timmy Hansen for the Hansen World Rallycross Team. This is a big chance for O’Donovan who had already been on the Hansen’s radar as a potential future star of the World RX. The event will be a proving ground for O’Donovan to see how he matches up against some established drivers in equal machinery. Kevin Hansen is also probably hoping O’Donovan can use some of his past experience to help him beat Johan Kristoffersson to take home his first World RX championship. With Timmy Hansen out of the championship hunt. It’s likely he to will help his brother chase glory in Hong Kong.
The 2023 World RX Championship will be decided in Hong Kong next month. Who can win the championship and how? Find out below.
Johan Kristoffersson has pretty much already won his 6th World RX championship. As the reigning champion only needs the following to win the championship next month.
- 11 points total to beat Kevin Hansen.
- 8 points total to beat Timo Scheider.
- 3 points total to beat Niclas Grönholm.
Kevin Hansen
Kevin Hansen is Kristoffersson’s only real challenger heading into the final two rounds in Hong Kong. Sure 36 points separate the two drivers. However, Hansen is the driver Kristoffersson has to score the most points against to win the championship. How can Hansen take home his first championship and stop Kristoffersson’s domination?
This one is going to require a bit more typing than Kristoffersson’s did. As on paper Kevin Hansen has to score 37 more total points than Kristoffersson in Hong Kong to win the championship m. However, that’s solely assuming Kristoffersson scores 0 points at both runnings of the event. Which is the only way Hansen can win the championship. As normally there’d be a bit of math involved in this. However, with only 8 or 9 competitors at events, there’s no other option for Hansen. As normally there’d be the hope that Kristoffersson finishes lower than 11th at both rounds to score 10 points for the event. Which would tie Kristoffersson and Hansen to end the season at 117 points meaning Kristoffersson still wins on countback. This means the highest Kristoffersson could finish is 11th and 12th for 9 points. As previously mentioned this is impossible as 8 is less than the needed 12 drivers to make that possible.
Timo Scheider
Much like Kevin Hansen, Scheider can only win the World RX championship if Kristoffersson scores 0 points at both events. Scheider must also score 4 or more points combined than Hansen over the weekend. As if Scheider doesn’t close the gap to Hansen he won’t win the championship. Unless a miracle happens Scheider won’t win the championship.
Niclas Grönholm
Realistically Grönholm is out of the championship running much like Hansen and Scheider. As Kristoffersson only needs to score 3 points over the weekend to end Grönholm’s slim championship hopes. Just for fun, I’ll tell you how Grönholm can win the championship next month. Starting at the same point as Hansen and Scheider did, Kristoffersson must score 0 points in Hong Kong. From that point, Grönholm must score 6 more points than Scheider and 9 more points than Hansen.
The World RX Of South Africa has come to an end. Johan Kristoffersson and Timo Scheider both took home wins at the doubleheader event.
Kevin Hansen got off to a strong start, beating Johan Kristoffersson in Superpole. By doing this Kevin Hansen became the first driver to beat Kristoffersson in Superpole since HELP. Kristoffersson was right back to his usual self during the heats. With the 5-time champion taking home the first heat win of the weekend. Timo Scheider and Timmy Hansen would win the other two heats. Johan Kristoffersson and Ole Christian Veiby took home wins in their respective Semi-Finals to create a Kristoffersson Motorsports front-row lockout in the finals. Kristoffersson as expected took home the win, while Kevin Hansen finished second and Timo Scheider finished third.
Round 8, Scheider Dominates
Johan Kristoffersson was back atop Superpole for round 8. However, that would be about the only bright spot for Kristoffersson on the day. Kristoffersson did manage to win the first heat of the day once again. From this point on it was pure domination from Timo Scheider. As Scheider took home the win on both the second and third heats. Scheider and Kristoffersson both won their respective Semi-finals. With Scheider in pole position, Kristoffersson’s undefeated streak looked like it was going to end. Which is exactly what would happen. Timo Scheider took home his first-ever World RX win at the event. Kevin Hansen finished second and Johan Kristoffersson finished third.
Not Grönholm’s Weekend
Niclas Grönholm went into the World RX Of South Africa as arguably Johan Kristoffersson’s strongest competitor. However, Grönholm didn’t have the greatest weekend in South Africa. With the Finnish driver placing 5th on Saturday and 6th on Sunday. In doing this Grönholm dropped from second in the championship to fourth. Grönholm’s chances for the championship are pretty much over unless he hits a streak of luck in Hong Kong and Kristoffersson hits a streak of bad luck.
Championship Rundown
Despite losing his first race of the season, and his first in over a year at the World RX Of South Africa, Johan Kristoffersson remains first in the championship. With the 5-time champion now sitting 36 points ahead of Kevin Hansen heading into the season-ending doubleheader in Hong Kong. Timo Scheider took home the first World RX win of his career to move up to third in the championship. Scheider now sits just 3 points behind Hansen. Niclas Grönholm moves down to fourth as previously mentioned, now sitting 5 points behind Scheider. Timmy Hansen rounds out the top five in the championship, sitting 4 points behind Grönholm.
Round 7 Recap
Round 8 Recap
The second day of the World RX Of South Africa has come to an end. Timo Scheider took home the win for his first of the season.
Superpole
Johan Kristoffersson was back at the top of the Superpole timesheet today. With Kristoffersson setting a time 0.558 seconds faster than yesterday’s Superpole winner Kevin Hansen. Timmy Hansen finished with the third fastest time, 0.317 seconds slower than his brother Kevin.
Heat One
Johan Kristoffersson also topped the first heat of the second day of the World RX Of South Africa. Posting a time 0.720 seconds faster than Kevin Hansen to take the heat win. Ole Christian Veiby finished third fastest, 2.431 seconds slower than Hansen. Klara Andersson set the fourth fastest time, 2.288 seconds slower than Veiby. Timo Scheider rounded out the top five on the heat, finishing 4.903 seconds slower than Andersson.
Heat Two
Timo Scheider took home the win on the second heat of the day. Scheider would set a time 0.312 seconds faster than Timmy Hansen. Johan Kristoffersson finished third fastest, 0.380 seconds slower than Hansen. Niclas Grönholm posted the fourth fastest time on the stage, 2.321 seconds slower than Kristoffersson. Klara Andersson rounded out the top five times, finishing 2.938 seconds slower than her teammate Niclas Grönholm.
Heat Two
Timo Scheider also topped the final heat of the second day of the World RX Of South Africa. Scheider posted a time 0.456 seconds faster than Johan Kristoffersson this time round. Kevin Hansen finished third fastest 0.156 seconds slower than Kristoffersson. Timmy Hansen set the fourth fastest time, 0.689 seconds slower than his brother Kevin. Niclas Grönholm rounded out the top five on the heat, 0.430 seconds slower than Timmy Hansen.
Semi-Final One
Timo Scheider, Kevin Hansen, Niclas Grönholm and Ole Christian Veiby battled in the first semi-final. Scheider continued his win streak and took home the semi-final win. Setting a time 0.313 seconds faster than Kevin Hansen. Niclas Grönholm finished third fastest, 1.703 seconds slower than Hansen.
Semi-Final Two
Johan Kristoffersson, Timmy Hansen, Klara Andersson and René Münnich battled in the second semi-final. Kristoffersson took home the second semi-final win. Posting a time 1.728 seconds faster than Timmy Hansen. Klara Andersson finished third fastest, 5.320 seconds slower than Hansen.
World RX Of South Africa Final
Timo Scheider, Johan Kristoffersson, Klara Andersson, Niclas Grönholm, Kevin and Timmy Hansen battled in the World RX Of South Africa Sunday final. Timo Scheider took home the final win for his first World RX win. Scheider would post a time 1.021 seconds faster than Kevin Hansen to take home the win. Johan Kristoffersson finished third fastest, 0.323 seconds slower than Hansen.
The first day of the World RX Of South Africa has come to an end. As expected Johan Kristoffersson won the first day of the event.
Superpole
Shockingly Johan Kristoffersson didn’t win the Superpole. Instead, Kevin Hansen won the race. Posting a time 0.082 seconds faster than Kristoffersson to win. Niclas Grönholm finished third fastest, 0.203 seconds slower than Kristoffersson.
Heat One
Johan Kristoffersson was back to his normal self for the first heat race of the weekend. With Kristoffersson setting a time 0.930 seconds faster than teammate Ole Christian Veiby to win the heat. Kevin Hansen finished third fastest, 0.502 seconds slower than Veiby. Timmy Hansen posted the fourth fastest time, 1.053 seconds slower than his brother Kevin. Timo Scheider rounded out the top five on the opening heat of the World RX Of South Africa, finishing 0.559 seconds slower than Timmy Hansen.
Heat Two
Timo Scheider took home the win on the second heat of the weekend. With Scheider posting a time 0.542 seconds faster than Johan Kristoffersson to win the heat. Niclas Grönholm finished third fastest, 0.095 seconds slower than championship rival Kristoffersson. Kevin Hansen set the fourth fastest time, 1.939 seconds slower than Grönholm. Timmy Hansen rounded out the top five on the heat, finishing 1.314 seconds slower than his brother Kevin.
Heat Three
Timmy Hansen topped the final heat of the first day and round of the World RX Of South Africa. With Timmy posting a time 0.923 seconds faster than Johan Kristoffersson. Ole Christian Veiby finished third fastest, 2.594 seconds slower than Kristoffersson. Kevin Hansen set the fourth fastest time 0.142 seconds slower than Veiby. Timo Scheider rounded out the top five on the heat, finishing 0.498 seconds slower than Kevin Hansen.
Semi-Final One
Johan Kristoffersson, Kevin Hansen, Timo Scheider and Klara Andersson battled in the first semi-final of the World RX Of South Africa. Kristoffersson took home the win, setting a time 2.179 seconds faster than Kevin Hansen to take the win. Timo Scheider finished third fastest, 1.519 seconds slower than Hansen.
Semi-Final Two
Ole Christian Veiby, Timmy Hansen, Niclas Grönholm and René Münnich battled in the second semi-final. Ole Christian Veiby would take home the semi-final win to give Kristoffersson Motorsports a first-row lockout in the finals. Veiby posted a time 0.814 seconds faster than Timmy Hansen to take the win. Niclas Grönholm finished third fastest, 1.747 seconds slower than Hansen.
World RX Of South Africa Final
Johan Kristoffersson took home the win in the first round of the World RX Of South Africa. With Kristoffersson setting a time 3.925 seconds faster than Kevin Hansen. Timo Scheider finished third fastest, 0.502 seconds slower than Hansen.
Not Grönholm’s Day
Niclas Grönholm was the reigning World RX of South Africa winner. As he won the event back in 2019 when it was last on the calendar. Unfortunately for Grönholm, his return to the event hasn’t been good so far. With the Fin only finishing top three in a race twice. Grönholm came into Round 7 as Kristoffersson’s biggest championship rival. Now Grönholm will have to push tomorrow to gain back championship points.
The 2023 World RX season continues this weekend with the World RX of South Africa. Find out everything you need to know below.
Championship Rundown
Johan Kristoffersson leads the championship as per usual. Kristoffersson sits 27 points ahead of Niclas Grönholm heading into the two rounds of the World RX Of South Africa. Kevin Hansen sits third in the championship, just 4 points behind Grönholm. Kristoffersson’s teammate Ole Christian Veiby is fourth in the championship heading into this weekend. Veiby currently sits 3 points behind Kevin Hansen. 2019 champion Timmy Hansen sits fifth in the championship, a mere 2 points behind Veiby.
The World RX Returns
The 2023 World RX season came to a screeching halt before the round in Lydden Hill even started. As a fire involving the Special One Racing Lancia Delta’s caused the round to be cancelled for the RX1e class. Due to a subsequent investigation, the rounds in Germany and Belgium were cancelled for the RX1e class also.
Select RX1e drivers were given the opportunity to drive in the RX2e class at one event, however. With Kristoffersson, Veiby and both the Hansen’s driving the round in Belgium. With Andersson and Grönholm driving the round in Germany. That was the drivers first taste of the cars they will be driving for the final four rounds of the season. Due to the still ongoing investigation into the cause of the fire at Lyddenn Hill, the RX1e cars can’t be used. So the World RX turns to the next best thing, the RX2e cars. Seeing as they aren’t going to change the regulations for the championship mid-season. They also couldn’t just call the season quits after 3 rounds.
Due to the three missed rounds for the RX1e class drivers, the World RX of South Africa and the World RX Of Hong Kong have been made double header rounds. This still means there will be one less round drivers compete in this season. However, the fewer missed rounds the better for the drivers and championship. Due to the change in schedule, the event will use a different format than normal weekends. As instead of four heat races there will only be three and they will all take place on the same day. Everything else stays the same, it’s just all in one 6 or 7-hour long day. There will also be support classes racing during the time the RX2e cars are recharging for the next round of racing.
The World RX Of South Africa takes place this weekend. Returning to the calendar after a 3-year absence. Let’s take a look back at the last time it was on the calendar.
Heading Into The World RX Of South Africa
The 2019 World RX season was a bit of an odd one. As Johan Kristoffersson was absent from the championship, after winning back-to-back championships. Timmy Hansen led the championship heading into the World RX of South Africa. Winning four rounds, including the last two rounds in France and Latvia to head into the final round with a 1-point lead over Andreas Bakkerud. Bakkerud only had one event win up to that point, winning the World RX Of Canada. It was pretty much winner-take-all in the final round. Realistically four drivers had a chance to win the championship at that event. Kevin Hansen sat 8 points behind his brother Timmy and Niclas Grönholm sat 30 behind Timmy Hansen. With 30 points on the table, anything could’ve happened.
Day One
Heat One
Timmy Hansen started the World RX Of South Africa on a high note. Winning the first heat of the event, setting a time 0.280 seconds faster than Andreas Bakkerud. Niclas Grönholm was third on the opening heat, 1.290 seconds slower than Bakkerud.
Heat Two
Niclas Grönholm took home the win on the second heat of the event. Beating Timur Timerzyanov by 0.363 seconds. Guillaume De Ridder finished third fastest, 0.570 seconds slower than Timerzyanov. Timmy Hansen finished 9th, while Bakkerud finished 11th.
Day Two
Heat Three
Timmy Hansen bounced back on the opening heat of the second day. Setting a time 1.975 seconds faster than Andreas Bakkerud to win the heat. Kevin Hansen finished top three in a heat for the first time at the event. Finishing 0.157 seconds slower than Bakkerud. Grönholm finished fourth, 0.677 seconds behind Kevin Hansen.
Heat Four
Niclas Grönholm won the fourth and final heat at the World RX Of South Africa. Posting a time 1.233 seconds faster than Timmy Hansen to win the heat. Andreas Bakkerud finished third fastest, 1.044 seconds slower than Timmy Hansen.
Heat Points
Niclas Grönholm took home the maximum 16 points from the heats as he set the fastest total time. Timmy Hansen took 15 for second, while Andreas Bakkerud took home 14. Meaning at this point Grönholm was 29 points behind Hansen heading into the Semi-Finals. While Bakkerud was now 2 points behind.
Semi-Final One
The first Semi-Final saw Andreas Bakkerud, Niclas Grönholm, Timur Timerzyanov, Anton Marklund, Krisztián Szabo and Janis Baumanis face off. Bakkerud topped the first semi-final group. Setting a time 0.160 seconds faster than Niclas Grönholm. Timur Timerzyanov finished third fastest, 0.758 seconds slower than Grönholm.
Semi-Final Two
The second semi-final saw Timmy and Kevin Hansen, Timo Scheider, Guerlain Chicherit, Guillaume De Ridder and Oliver Bennett face off. Timmy Hansen topped the second semi-final. Setting a time 1.195 seconds faster than his brother Kevin. Timo Scheider finished third, 3.560 seconds slower than Kevin Hansen.
Semi-Final Points
Timmy Hansen and Andreas Bakkerud both received 6 points for winning their respective semi-finals. Meaning there were still 2 points separating the two. Niclas Grönholm only scored 5 points in the semi-finals, dropping back to 30 points behind Hansen, his championship hopes were over.
World RX Of South Africa Final
Andreas Bakkerud, Niclas Grönholm, Timur Timerzyanov, Timo Scheider, Kevin and Timmy Hansen faced off in the finals. Niclas Grönholm won the finals, setting a time 2.308 seconds faster than Andreas Bakkerud. Timur Timerzyanov finished third fastest, 0.675 seconds slower than Bakkerud. Timmy Hansen finished fourth, 3.595 seconds slower than Timerzyanov.
Final Points
Niclas Grönholm received 8 points for his victory in the finals. Andreas Bakkerud received 5 points for finishing second and Timmy Hansen received three for finishing fourth. If you haven’t figured the math out already I’ll put it here. Heading into the finals two points separated Timmy Hansen and Bakkerud. Bakkerud received two more points in the final than Hansen. Thus meaning they tied for points to end the season. Who won the championship then? Timmy Hansen. Remember at the beginning of this article when it was mentioned how many rounds each driver had won? That wasn’t just randomly mentioned. Due to Hansen winning 4 rounds and Bakkerud only winning one. Hansen was given the championship via countback.
Sebastien Loeb has been absent from the WRC since the beginning of the season. What could be next for the 9-time champion?
A WRC Return?
Sebastien Loeb has won the most World Rally Championships in WRC history. Taking home a whopping 9 of them. Loeb also owns a handful of other WRC records. Including most rally wins, stage wins and podium finishes. Could Loeb return to the WRC next season? It’s a possibility but unlikely. As Loeb’s spot at M-Sport was lost after the team signed Ott Tänak which took all their funding. Loeb could find himself a seat with Toyota or Hyundai next season, however. That being if a seat opens up between now and January. Which is unlikely unless Dani Sordo doesn’t return to Hyundai. The 49-year-old would be welcomed back into the WRC paddocks with open arms. Loeb’s knowledge of the sport could be usual for a team looking to develop new drivers.
World RX?
After Loeb was pushed out of the WRC, he turned back to the World RX. Things were going decently for Loeb until they weren’t. As his World RX season ended abruptly after the Special One Racing team cars and tents caught fire. Ending the team’s season and freeing Loeb’s calendar completely. Loeb did compete and win a RX event in a different championship recently. Winning an event in Loheac of the French RX championship. Loeb could stick to Rallycross next season if a team picks him up. Before this season Loeb had driven for the Hansen World Rallycross Team in 2016,2017 and 2018. Finishing 5th in the championship in 2016 and 4th in 2017 and 2018.
Extreme E?
Loeb returned to Extreme E this past weekend with the ABT CUPRA XE team. Loeb and Klara Andersson took home podiums on both days at the IslandXPrix. Finishing second on day one and third on the second day. Could Loeb return to Extreme E for more than just one event? Only time will tell if that’s what the Frenchman does. Loeb won the 2022 Extreme E championship with Team X44. He also finished second in the championship with Team X44 in 2021.
Retirement
This is probably the least likely option for Loeb. As the 49-year-old appears to still want to compete in Motorsport events. Even if it’s just occasionally. Loeb has nothing left to really prove, however. As he’s won 9 WRC championships, an Extreme E championship, and a bunch of other things. For Loeb, it’s more or less about fun now. With Loeb still driving like he is, why retire? It’s still enjoyable for him and he can still bring it to anybody. So it’s unlikely Loeb will retire unless there are no opportunities for him.