Marklund offers his first success at Hell

Anton Marklund (Renault Mégane R.S.) a décroché sa première victoire en World RX en remportant la finale à Hell (Norvège). Le Suédois parti en deuxième ligne a pris l’avantage sur Niclas Grönholm (Hyundai i20), le plus sérieux prétendant à la victoire du week-end, pour offrir à GC Kompetition son premier succès.

Absent for two meetings due to appendicitis, Niclas Grönholm narrowly missed the masterstroke by climbing onto the second step of the podium after finishing first in the qualifying heats and winning his semi-final in soggy conditions after the arrival of a downpour.

Kevin Hansen (Peugeot 208) completes the podium while his brother Timmy failed to reach the final. The two residents of Team Hansen-MJP engaged in a fratricidal fight in the semi-finals which turned to the advantage of the cadet. The qualifying 208 WRX managed to grab second place, but was penalized a second for aggressive overtaking and was demoted to third.

Timmy Hansen nevertheless retains the lead in the championship with 3 points ahead of his brother. Andreas Bakkerud (Audi S1), also eliminated in the semi-final, follows 15 points behind the leader.

Janis Baumanis (Ford Fiesta) and a surprising Kevin Abbring (Skoda Fabia) completed the final standings with Liam Doran (Audi S1). The Dutchman allowed ESMotorsport to compete in the final race of the weekend for the first time.

If Anton Marklund shone, the other GCK drivers did not have the same success. Guerlain Chicherit (Renault Mégane RS) failed at the gates of the final by beating Cyril Raymond (Renault Clio RS). Guillaume de Ridder (Renault Clio RS) had another nightmare weekend and finished second to last in the standings.