The 2024 FIA World Rallycross Championship came to a close today Sunday (November 10) at Istanbul Park Circuit in Turkey. The final round of the 2024 series was won by Juha Rytkönen (Hyundai i20) who beat 2024 World champion Johan Kristoffersson in the final. Kevin Hansen (Peugeot 208 RX1e) finished fourth today and claimed second place in the 2024 championship.
First heat race wins went to Johan Kristoffersson (VW Polo) and Juha Rytkönen on Sunday morning. For the battle for the runner-up position Kevin Hansen (second place finish) extended his margin on Ole Christian Veiby (VW Polo, fourth place finish) with two points during heat one. Afterwards Patrick O’Donovan (Peugeot 208) and Veiby scored heat race wins in the second heat with Veiby closing in three points on Kevin Hansen.
Following the ranking a first semi-final, ran under wet weather conditions, saw O’Donovan and Veiby on the front row. It was won by Veiby after Kristoffersson, when leading, let his teammate pass in front of the finish. Third place went to Niclas Grönholm (PWR Hyundai i20 RX1e), who passed Steven Bossard (Hyundai i20) in the final lap. Kevin Hansen, still seeking the runner-up spot in the championship, was on the second row in semi-final two and finished it in second place behind Juha Rytkönen and ahead of his brother Timmy [Hansen].
Prior to the final the points difference between Veiby and Kevin Hansen was reduced to four points. Veiby was on 189 points while Kevin Hansen was on 193 points. Veiby was allowed to start the final from the front row while Kevin Hansen was on the second row. Once the green light was shown the other front row starter, Juha Rytkönen, had the better start while Veiby stalled his car on the grid. The Finn was then chased by world champion Kristoffersson while Kevin Hansen and Veiby both passed through the joker lap section in the opening lap. Then the lap after Timmy Hansen passed through the joker lap section and joined the main track behind his brother Kevin [Hansen] and ahead of Veiby in an effort to help secure Kevin Hansen second place in the championship. Veiby didn’t manage it anymore to close in on Kevin Hansen and as such had to accept third place in the championship. The win at Istanbul Park Circuit on Sunday was for Juha Rytkönen who resisted the pressure of Kristoffersson during the five lap final.
For the teams there is now a short break before the 2025 FIA World Rallycross Championship is already set to go underway in the weekend of January 25-26, 2025 at Trois-Rivières in Canada with an event on ice.
Results
World RX – Final: 1. Juha Rytkönen (FIN), Hyundai i20; 2. Johan Kristoffersson (S), VW Polo; 3. Timmy Hansen (S), Peugeot 208 RX1e; 4. Kevin Hansen (S), Peugeot 208 RX1e; 5. Niclas Grönholm (FIN), PWR Hyundai i20 RX1e; 6. Ole Christian Veiby (N), VW Polo.
World RX Team: 1. Kristoffersson Motorsport (S), 40; 2. Hansen World RX Team (S), 35; 3. Construction Equipment Dealer Team (S), 26.
Final Standings
World RX (10/10): 1. Johan Kristoffersson (S), 240; 2. Kevin Hansen (S), 197; 3. Ole Christian Veiby (N), 190; 4. Timmy Hansen (S), 181; 5. Niclas Grönholm (FIN), 177; etc.
World RX Team (10/10): 1. Kristoffersson Motorsport (S), 430; 2. Hansen World RX Team (S), 378; 3. Construction Equipment Dealer Team (S), 322.