2021 FIA World Rallycross Championship

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The 2021 FIA World Rallycross Championship was the eighth season of the FIA World Rallycross Championship, an auto racing championship recognised by the Fédération Internationale de l'Automobile (FIA) as the highest class of international rallycross.

The championship was due to begin on 12 June at the Lånkebanen in Norway and end on 10 October at the Circuit de Spa-Francorchamps in Belgium; however after calendar adjustments, it began on 23 July at the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya in Spain and ended on 28 November at the Nürburgring in Germany.

2021 was the first season with the WRC Promoter GmbH as the championship promoter after succeeding IMG,[1] subsequently formed Rallycross Promoter GmbH.[2] Johan Kristoffersson won the Drivers' Championship for the fourth time. Hansen World RX Team won the Teams' Championship.

Calendar[]

The 2021 championship was due to be contested over 10 rounds in Europe, the Middle East, and Sub-Saharan Africa.
The initial calendar was released on 16 December 2020, it included two unconfirmed slots: 1 for a round in Europe, and one for a round in the Middle East/Asia.[3] On 26 March 2021, the calendar was adjusted due to the effects of COVID-19 pandemic; and the rounds in Finland, Middle East, and South Africa were removed from the calendar.[4] On 12 May 2021; the calendar was adjusted again by cancelling World RX of Norway, postponing World RX of Sweden, and World RX of Portugal returned to the calendar as the final round.[5]

Rnd Event Date Venue Class Winner Team
1 Spain World RX of Barcelona-Catalunya 23–24 July Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya, Montmeló RX1 Sweden Kevin Hansen Sweden Hansen World RX Team
RX2e Belgium Guillaume De Ridder Belgium Guillaume De Ridder
2 Sweden World RX of Sweden 20–22 August[a] Höljesbanan, Höljes RX1 Sweden Timmy Hansen Sweden Hansen World RX Team
RX2e Finland Jesse Kallio Sweden Olsbergs MSE
3 France World RX of France 3–5 September Circuit de Lohéac, Lohéac RX1 Sweden Timmy Hansen Sweden Hansen World RX Team
RX2e France Dorian Deslandes Sweden Olsbergs MSE
4 Latvia World RX of Riga - Latvia 18–19 September Biķernieku Kompleksā Sporta Bāze, Riga RX1 Finland Niclas Grönholm Finland GRX-SET World RX Team
5 Sweden Johan Kristoffersson Sweden KYB EKS JC
6 Belgium World RX of Benelux 8–10 October Circuit de Spa-Francorchamps, Stavelot RX1 Sweden Johan Kristoffersson Sweden KYB EKS JC
RX2e Belgium Guillaume De Ridder Belgium Guillaume De Ridder
7 Portugal World RX of Portugal 16–17 October Pista Automóvel de Montalegre, Montalegre RX1 Finland Niclas Grönholm Finland GRX-SET World RX Team
8 Germany World RX of Germany 27–28 November Nürburgring, Nürburg RX1 Sweden Johan Kristoffersson Sweden KYB EKS JC
9 Finland Niclas Grönholm Finland GRX-SET World RX Team
RX2e Belgium Guillaume De Ridder Belgium Guillaume De Ridder
Cancelled Races
C Norway World RX of Norway[5] 12–13 June Lånkebanen, Hell RX1 Cancelled
RX2e

Calendar Changes[]

  • After being cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the World RX of Benelux, World RX of Germany, World RX of France and all returned to the calendar.
  • After being on the 2020 calendar, then cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the World RX of Russia, World RX of Finland and World RX of Abu Dhabi were not included on the initial calendar.
  • The World RX of South Africa firstly returned to the initial calendar, however it was removed from the calendar after the adjustment of the calendar.
  • The World RX of Riga - Latvia was firstly not included in the initial calendar, it returned to the calendar after the adjustment. However, it is still subject to the contract.[4] On the 19th of July, it was announced that the event had been expanded to a double-header weekend, bringing the total number of championship rounds to 9.[6]
  • The World RX of Norway firstly returned to the initial calendar, however it was removed from the calendar in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.[5]
  • The World RX of Portugal was firstly not included in the initial calendars, it returned to the calendar after the cancellation of World RX of Norway.[5]
  • The World RX of Germany was originally scheduled to hold a double header for rounds 2 and 3 of the season, but was later postponed due to the circuit aiding in the disaster relief efforts following the 2021 European floods.[7]

Series News[]

  • The FIA announced a tender process to find a new promoter to replace IMG. IMG had been the championship's promoters since its inception in 2014.[8]
  • On 11 February 2021, it was announced that WRC Promoter GmbH would replace IMG as the championship's promoter,[9] subsequently formed Rallycross Promoter GmbH on 21 April 2021.[2]
  • The Supercar class was renamed RX1.[10]
  • The RX2 class was discontinued. It was replaced by the electric RX2e class.[10]

Entries[]

RX1[]

Constructor Team Car No. Drivers Rounds Ref
Audi Sweden KYB EKS JC Audi S1 1 Sweden Johan Kristoffersson All [11]
91 Belgium Enzo Ide All [12]
Hungary Kárai Motorsport Sportegyesület 73 Hungary Tamás Kárai 1, 8-9 [13]
Hungary Volland Racing KFT 95 Switzerland Yury Belevskiy 8-9 [14]
Citroën France Hervé Knapick Citroën DS3 84 France Hervé Knapick 3, 6, 8-9[b] [15]
Ford Republic of Ireland Ollie O'Donovan Ford Fiesta 2 Republic of Ireland Ollie O'Donovan 3, 6-9 [16]
Finland Juha Rytkönen 18 Finland Juha Rytkönen 1-2, 4-6 [17]
Sweden Team SKÅAB 31 Sweden Stefan Kristensson 8-9 [14]
Hungary Nyirád Motorsport KFT 50 Hungary Attila Mozer 1-2 [13]
Hyundai Sweden Hedströms Motorsport Hyundai i20 8 Sweden Peter Hedström 2 [18]
92 Sweden Anton Marklund 6, 8-9 [19]
Finland GRX-SET World RX Team 23 Hungary Krisztián Szabó All [20]
68 Finland Niclas Grönholm All [20]
France Davy Jeanney 27 France Davy Jeanney 8-9 [21]
France Patrick Guillerme 83 France Patrick Guillerme 1 [13]
Mini United Kingdom Oliver Bennett Mini Cooper 42 United Kingdom Oliver Bennett 1 [22]
Peugeot Sweden Hansen World RX Team Peugeot 208 9 Sweden Kevin Hansen All [23]
21 Sweden Timmy Hansen All [24]
Renault France Unkorrupted Renault Mégane R.S. 36 France Guerlain Chicherit 8-9 [14]
69 Netherlands Kevin Abbring 1-6 [25]
SEAT Germany ALL-INKL.COM Münnich Motorsport SEAT Ibiza 5 Sweden Mattias Ekström 4-5 [26]
38 Germany Mandie August 1 [27]
44 Germany Timo Scheider 1, 3-6 [28]
77 Germany René Münnich 1 [27]
Volkswagen Sweden Hedströms Motorsport Volkswagen Polo 17 Sweden Dan Öberg 1, 4-5 [13]

RX2e[]

Constructor Team Car No. Drivers Rounds Ref
OMSE Belgium Ann Luijten OMSE QEV RX2e 2 Belgium Kobe Pauwels 5 [29]
Spain Ruben Fernandez Gil 5 Spain Pablo Suárez 1 [30]
Spain Monlau Competición 2-5 [31]
Sweden Olsbergs MSE 11 France Dorian Deslandes 3 [32]
12 Sweden Klara Andersson 4-5 [33]
28 Sweden Filip Thorén 4-5 [33]
35 Sweden Fraser McConnell [c] 1-2 [34]
47 Finland Jesse Kallio All [35]
82 Sweden Isak Sjökvist 2-5 [31]
121 United States Conner Martell 3-4 [32]
United Kingdom Patrick O'Donovan 13 United Kingdom Patrick O'Donovan All [36]
Sweden Kristoffersson Motorsport 14 Sweden Nils Andersson 2-3 [37]
Latvia RN Kapersky Racing Team 15 Latvia Reinis Nitišs 3 [32]
Sweden Linus Östlund 18 Sweden Linus Östlund 2 [31]
France Damien Meunier 21 France Damien Meunier 1-2 [38]
United Kingdom XITE Energy Racing 22 Italy Christine Giampaoli Zonca 4 [33]
Italy Jan Oscar Ortfeldt 36 Italy Jan Oscar Ortfeldt [d] 1 [39][40]
Spain ACCIONA | Sainz XE Team 44 Spain Laia Sanz 4 [33]
Switzerland G4 Motors SA 55 Spain José-Luis García Molina 1 [41]
United Kingdom Mark Flaherty 77 United Kingdom Mark Flaherty 1 [42]
Norway Ole-Henry Steinsholt 88 Norway Ole-Henry Steinsholt 1 [43]
Belgium Guillaume De Ridder 96 Belgium Guillaume De Ridder All [44]
Spain Escuderia Mollerussa 112 Spain Pepe Arqué 5 [29]
France Cyril Raymond 113 France Cyril Raymond 3 [32]
Sweden EKS JC 170 Sweden Isak Reiersen 2 [31]

Championship Standings[]

World Championship points are scored as follows:

Position
Round 1st 2nd 3rd 4th 5th 6th 7th 8th 9th 10th 11th 12th 13th 14th 15th 16th
Heats 16 15 14 13 12 11 10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1
Semi-Finals 6 5 4 3 2 1
Final 8 5 4 3 2 1

RX1 Driver's Championship[]

Pos. Driver BAR
Spain 		SWE
Sweden 		FRA
France 		LAT
Latvia 		BEL
Belgium 		PRT
Portugal 		GER
Germany 		Points
1 Sweden Johan Kristoffersson 3 7 7 5 1 1 6 1 3 217
2 Sweden Timmy Hansen 2 1 1 2 3 4 2 5 4 217
3 Finland Niclas Grönholm 8 8 3 1 2 8 1 4 1 197
4 Sweden Kevin Hansen 1 2 2 3 5 2 3 9 2 191
5 Hungary Krisztián Szabó 4 5 5 4 6 3 4 3 7 162
6 Belgium Enzo Ide 10 4 8 9 9 5 5 6 6 125
7 Netherlands Kevin Abbring 6 3 4 8 8 7 97
8 Germany Timo Scheider 7 6 6 7 9 75
9 Finland Juha Rytkönen 9 6 10 10 10 52
10 Sweden Mattias Ekström 7 4 37
11 Republic of Ireland Ollie O'Donovan 9 12 7 13 13 37
12 Switzerland Yury Belevskiy 2 9 36
13 Sweden Anton Marklund 6 12 8 33
14 France Guerlain Chicherit 7 5 27
15 Hungary Tamás Kárai 11 10 11 25
16 France Davy Jeanney 8 10 20
17 France Hervé Knapick 10 11 14 WD 18
18 Germany René Münnich 5 16
19 Sweden Stefan Kristensson 11 12 14
20 Hungary Attila Mózer 14 10 13
21 Sweden Peter Hedström 9 11
22 United Kingdom Oliver Bennett 12 8
23 Sweden Dan Öberg 16 11[e] 11 7
24 Germany Mandie August 13 4
25 France Patrick Guillerme 15 2
Pos. Driver BAR
Spain 		SWE
Sweden 		FRA
France 		LAT
Latvia 		BEL
Belgium 		PRT
Portugal 		GER
Germany 		Points
Colour Result
Gold Winner
Silver 2nd place
Bronze 3rd place
Green Points finish
Blue Non-points finish
Non-classified finish (NC)
Purple Retired (Ret)
Red Did not qualify (DNQ)
Did not pre-qualify (DNPQ)
Black Disqualified (DSQ)
White Did not start (DNS)
Withdrew (WD)
Race cancelled (C)
Blank Did not practice (DNP)
Did not arrive (DNA)
Excluded (EX)

RX1 Team's Championship[]

Pos. Team No. BAR
Spain 		SWE
Sweden 		FRA
France 		LAT
Latvia 		BEL
Belgium 		PRT
Portugal 		GER
Germany 		Points
1 Sweden Hansen World RX Team 9 1 2 2 3 5 2 3 9 2 408
21 2 1 1 2 3 4 2 5 4
2 Finland GRX-SET World RX Team 23 4 5 5 4 6 3 4 3 7 359
68 8 8 3 1 2 8 1 4 1
3 Sweden KYB EKS JC 1 3 7 7 5 1 1 6 1 3 342
91 10 4 8 9 9 5 5 6 6
Pos. Driver BAR
Spain 		SWE
Sweden 		FRA
France 		LAT
Latvia 		BEL
Belgium 		PRT
Portugal 		GER
Germany 		Points

RX2e Driver's Championship[]

Pos. Driver BAR
Spain 		SWE
Sweden 		FRA
France 		BEL
Belgium 		GER
Germany 		Points
1 Belgium Guillaume De Ridder 1 4 3 1 1 134
2 Finland Jesse Kallio 5 1 4 2 2 123
3 Spain Pablo Suárez 4 10 10 5 3 76
4 United Kingdom Patrick O'Donovan 3 6 9 7 7 76
5 Sweden Isak Sjökvist 3 6 3 5 72
6 Sweden Fraser McConnell 6 2 49
7 Sweden Klara Andersson 4 8 35
8 France Dorian Deslandes 1 30
9 Sweden Nils Andersson 7 8 29
10 United States Conner Martell 5 9 26
11 Latvia Reinis Nitišs 2 24
12 Sweden Filip Thorén 6 9 23
13 France Damien Meunier 8 9 23
14 Norway Ole Henry Steinsholt 2 21
15 Belgium Kobe Pauwels 4 21
16 Sweden Linus Östlund 5 19
17 Spain Pepe Arqué 6 18
18 France Cyril Raymond 7 16
19 Spain Jose-Luis Garcia Molina 7 13
20 Italy Christine Giampaoli Zonca 8 13
21 Sweden Isak Reiersen 8 13
22 United Kingdom Mark Flaherty 9 10
23 Italy Jan Oscar Ortfeldt 10 9
24 Spain Laia Sanz 10 9
Pos. Driver BAR
Spain 		SWE
Sweden 		FRA
France 		BEL
Belgium 		GER
Germany 		Points

Notes[]

  1. ^ World RX of Sweden was originally due to take place on 2–4 July 2021; however it was rescheduled to 20–22 August 2021 in response to the COVID-19 pandemic[5]
  2. ^ Hervé Knapick was entered into round 9, but was later withdrawn as a result of crash damage sustained in round 8.
  3. ^ Fraser McConnell is a Jamaican driver competing under a Swedish license.
  4. ^ Jan Oscar Ortfeldt is a Swedish driver competing under an Italian license.
  5. ^ Dan Öberg was deducted 10 championship points for the use of a fourth turbo over the season.

References[]

  1. ^ "FIA and WRC promoter to run World Rallycross from 2021".
  2. ^ a b "Rallycross Promoter GmbH builds team for World RX future". FIA World Rallycross. Archived from the original on 21 April 2021. Retrieved 22 April 2021.
  3. ^ Wood, Elliot (16 December 2020). "Finland returns for World RX 2021 but no new promoter yet". dirtfish.com. Dirtfish Media. Retrieved 30 December 2020.
  4. ^ a b "FIA World Rallycross Championship Adjusts 2021 Calendar". fiaworldrallycross.com. FIA World Rallycross. 26 March 2021. Retrieved 26 March 2021.
  5. ^ a b c d e "Montalegre Returns On Revised Calendar". fiaworldrallycross.com. FIA World Rallycross. 12 May 2021. Retrieved 26 March 2021.
  6. ^ "2021 WORLD RX OF RIGA-LATVIA BECOMES DOUBLE-HEADER EVENT". 19 July 2021. Retrieved 19 July 2021.
  7. ^ "World RX of Germany postponed as Nürburgring assists disaster relief effort". 22 July 2021. Retrieved 25 July 2021.
  8. ^ Ridge, Hal (14 October 2020). "FIA launches tender process to find new WRX promoter". motorsport.com. Motorsport Magazine. Retrieved 30 December 2020.
  9. ^ Wilde, Dominik (11 February 2021). "WRC Promoter appointed new World RX Rights Holder". dirtfish.com. Dirtfish Media. Retrieved 17 February 2021.
  10. ^ a b FVR (9 October 2020). "What's in a name - new names Supercar and Super1600". rallycross.com. Retrieved 30 December 2020.
  11. ^ "Kristoffersson fired-up for 'new challenge' with EKS JC". FIA WORLD RALLYCROSS CHAMPIONSHIP. 22 June 2021. Archived from the original on 22 June 2021. Retrieved 22 April 2021.
  12. ^ "IDE FIRST DRIVER TO COMMIT TO FULL 2021 SEASON". FIA WORLD RALLYCROSS CHAMPIONSHIP. 19 April 2021. Retrieved 19 April 2021.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  13. ^ a b c d "CATALUNYA ENTRY FEATURES 17-STRONG GRIDS IN WORLD RX AND RX3". FIA WORLD RALLYCROSS CHAMPIONSHIP. 30 June 2021. Retrieved 30 June 2021.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  14. ^ a b c "Fourteen-car entry for Nürburgring season finale". FIA World Rallycross Championship. Retrieved 5 November 2021.
  15. ^ "EURO FRONT-RUNNERS JOIN WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP FRAY FOR NÜRBURGRING DOUBLE-HEADER". FIA WORLD RALLYCROSS CHAMPIONSHIP. 8 July 2021. Retrieved 8 July 2021.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  16. ^ "DA RACING PREPARES FOR ELECTRIC FUTURE WITH 2021 PROGRAMME". FIA WORLD RALLYCROSS CHAMPIONSHIP. 17 June 2021.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  17. ^ "FLYING FINN RYTKÖNEN BACK FOR MORE WORLD RX ACTION IN 2021". FIA WORLD RALLYCROSS CHAMPIONSHIP. 25 June 2021.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  18. ^ "HEDSTRÖM EXCITED FOR 'OPPORTUNITY OF A LIFETIME' WITH GRX-SET AT HÖLJES". FIA WORLD RALLYCROSS CHAMPIONSHIP. 12 July 2021.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  19. ^ "Entry lists released for Benelux World RX of Spa-Francorchamps". FIA World Rallycross Championship. Retrieved 23 September 2021.
  20. ^ a b "GRONHOLM AND SZABO SET TO MOUNT WORLD RX TITLE TILT WITH GRX". FIA WORLD RALLYCROSS CHAMPIONSHIP. 9 June 2021.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  21. ^ "World RX's first French winner returns to the fray for the Nürburgring". FIA World Rallycross Championship. Retrieved 26 October 2021.
  22. ^ "BRITAIN'S BENNETT REJOINS FRAY FOR CATALUNYA CURTAIN-RAISER". FIA WORLD RALLYCROSS CHAMPIONSHIP. 29 June 2021.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  23. ^ "KEVIN HANSEN: IT'S MY TIME TO SHINE!". FIA WORLD RALLYCROSS CHAMPIONSHIP. 7 June 2021.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  24. ^ "TIMMY HANSEN AIMING TO RECONQUER HIS CROWN IN 2021". FIA WORLD RALLYCROSS CHAMPIONSHIP. 11 June 2021.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  25. ^ "ABBRING SET FOR FIRST FULL WORLD RX SEASON WITH UNKORRUPTED". FIA WORLD RALLYCROSS CHAMPIONSHIP. 8 June 2021.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  26. ^ "Former World Champion Ekström rejoins fray for Riga". FIA World Rallycross Championship. Retrieved 13 September 2021.
  27. ^ a b "THREE ALL-INKL.COM MÜNNICH MOTORSPORT SEATS FOR BARCELONA". FIA WORLD RALLYCROSS CHAMPIONSHIP. 28 June 2021.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  28. ^ "FIA World Rallycross Championship". Twitter. 23 June 2021.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  29. ^ a b "Inaugural electric honours up for grabs in Nürburgring title-decider". FIA World Rallycross Championship. Retrieved 30 November 2021.
  30. ^ "Suárez excited to start FIA RX2e adventure on home soil with Spaniard all set for Catalunya contest". FIA RX2e CHAMPIONSHIP. 5 July 2021. Retrieved 5 July 2021.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  31. ^ a b c d RX2e. "FIA RX2e Höljes entry list confirmed – RX2e". Retrieved 18 August 2021.
  32. ^ a b c d "Ex-World RX aces Nitišs and Raymond join RX2e field at Lohéac". FIA World Rallycross Championship. Retrieved 27 August 2021.
  33. ^ a b c d "Trio of fast females bolster stellar Spa grid in RX2e". FIA World Rallycross Championship. Retrieved 5 October 2021.
  34. ^ "Fraser McConnell targeting all-electric glory as Jamaican joins FIA RX2e for Barcelona curtain-raiser". FIA RX2e CHAMPIONSHIP. 30 June 2021. Retrieved 2 July 2021.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  35. ^ "Kallio promises flat-out performances as flying Finn latest rising star added to FIA RX2e grid in Barcelona". FIA RX2e CHAMPIONSHIP. 1 July 2021. Retrieved 2 July 2021.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  36. ^ "O'Donovan turns dream into reality with FIA RX2e entry as rallycross starlet announced for Barcelona". FIA RX2e CHAMPIONSHIP. 5 July 2021. Retrieved 5 July 2021.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  37. ^ RX2e. "Andersson bolsters FIA RX2e Championship field with Swede ready to get stuck in at Höljes – RX2e". Retrieved 5 August 2021.
  38. ^ "Meunier joins burgeoning FIA RX2e field as French prodigy prepares for season-opener". FIA RX2e CHAMPIONSHIP. 2 July 2021. Retrieved 3 July 2021.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  39. ^ RX2e. "Oscar Ortfeldt a late addition to RX2e grid as Pepe Arqué ruled out of Catalunya contest – RX2e". Retrieved 23 July 2021.
  40. ^ "DECISION No 02 Amended" (PDF). FIA. 23 July 2021. Retrieved 23 July 2021.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
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  42. ^ "Flaherty enters the fray with British ace ready to push FIA RX2e car to the limit in Barcelona". FIA RX2e CHAMPIONSHIP. 3 July 2021. Retrieved 3 July 2021.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
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  44. ^ "Ex-World RX star De Ridder signs up to RX2e in bid to become first FIA electric rallycross champion". FIA RX2e CHAMPIONSHIP. 29 April 2021. Retrieved 2 July 2021.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)

External links[]

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