World RX – Ekström wins ahead of Loeb at Montalegre

Mattias Ekström (Audi S1) further increases his lead in the Championship after his second consecutive victory in two races at the end of the final in Montalegre (Portugal). After winning his semi-final, the Swede got the best start in the last event of the weekend and notably took advantage of a puncture from Petter Solberg (Volkswagen Polo) who finished last in the final after winning the first semi final.

The EKS boss-pilot resisted pressure from Sébastien Loeb (Peugeot 208) who quickly completed his joker lap to emerge in front of Johan Kristoffersson (Volkswagen Polo), slowed down by the fight with his teammate. The PSRX Volkswagen Team Sweden driver completes the podium ahead of Timmy Hansen (Peugeot 208) and Reinis Nitiss (Audi S1).

Kevin Hansen is thus the only Peugeot driver not to have reached the final, the driver of the 208 version 2016 having failed just outside the top three in the first semi-final behind Petter Solberg, Johan Kristoffersson and Reinis Nitiss.

Despite the efforts of Andreas Bakkerud (Ford Focus), the Hoonigan Racing driver retired in his semi-final. His teammate Ken Block failed in 5th position in the other semi-final.

Mattias Ekström now has a 14-point lead over Johan Kristoffersson. Petter Solberg follows at 16 units. In the Teams' Championship, PSRX Volkswagen Team Sweden nevertheless takes the lead with 9 points ahead of EKS.

Discover the report of the World RX in Montalegre in issue 2111 of AUTOhebdo, available from Monday evening in digital version on all platforms, and from Wednesday on newsstands.