World RX – Solberg keeps control in Barcelona, ​​Loeb withdraws

Petter Solberg (Volkswagen) set the best time in a round for the second time in a row by winning Q3 of the World RX in Barcelona (Spain). On a drying track, the three-time world champion beat Timmy Hansen (Peugeot ) and Johan Kristoffersson (Volkswagen). Andreas Bakkerud (Audi) followed in fourth, but the Norwegian eventually moved up a position following a five-second penalty given to the reigning world champion for being a little too aggressive on the Scandinavian.

Kristoffersson and Bakkerud go door-to-door at the joker exit!#WorldRX #CatalunyaRX pic.twitter.com/rRZrZn7he9

— FIA World Rallycross (@FIAWorldRX) April 15th

Niclas Grönholm (Hyundai) took the advantage over Jérôme Grosset-Janin (Renault) despite an excellent start from the GCKompetition resident anticipating his joker turn. The GRX driver and the former French champion complete the Top 6 in the ranking ahead of Janis Baumanis (Ford) and Timur Timerzyanov (Hyundai), winner of his race ahead of Guerlain Chicherit (Renault) ranked 11th behind Robin Larsson (Ford) and Mattias Ekström (Audi). The Frenchman from the GCK team thus fell to 11th position.

If Timmy Hansen had a good performance, his teammates suffered in Q3. Sebastian Loeb retired following contact damaging his left rear wheel while attempting to overtake Kevin Eriksson.

Here's the moment that saw @SebastienLoeb out of Q3. It's going to be extremely difficult for the Frenchman to recover to the Semi-Finals now!#WorldRX #CatalunyaRX pic.twitter.com/CjRfPAzojb

— FIA World Rallycross (@FIAWorldRX) April 15th

Kevin Hansen only ranked 14th between Oliver Bennett (Mini), Kevin Eriksson (Ford), and Grégoire Demoustier (Peugeot) and Hervé Knapick (DS 3). The youngest of the Hansen family anticipated the departure, condemning him to two passages through the joker lap, and encountered mechanical problems during his takeoff.

Petter Solberg remains leader ahead of Mattias Ekström, while Andreas Bakkerud climbs to third place in the general classification ahead of Johan Kristoffersson. Timmy Hansen moved into the Top 5 ahead of Janis Baumanis. Robin Larsson is seventh ahead of Niclas Grönholm. Jérôme Grosse-Janin still occupies ninth position while Kevin Hansen dropped to tenth ahead of Timur Timerzyanov and Guerlain Chicherit. Sébastien Loeb finds himself on the provisional list of those eliminated, now occupying 14th place between Oliver Bennett and Kevin Eriksson. Grégoire Demoustier and Hervé Knapick complete the list.