World RX 2020: the year of Kristoffersson

Kristoffersson, indisputable boss

Back after a year spent in tourism with the WTCR, Johan Kristoffersson did not miss his return to World RX. A contender for the world crown against defending champion Timmy Hansen, the Swede has not been idle.

In Holjes (Sweden) for the first race weekend of the season, the Scandinavian quickly showed his intentions. He concluded a near-perfect double-header with a victory and a second place.

The following rounds will be almost the same. In Finland, Latvia and Spain, he recorded three more victories and two additional podiums. Alone in the lead and superior to the rest of the field, Johan Kristoffersson won his third world title to become the first triple WRX world champion.

« I am very happy. And for good reason, this is obviously my objective at the start of the season. I was aware that the challenge was significant, since I defend the interests of a family stable (Kristoffersson Motorsport. Editor’s note) only fielding one car, the satisfaction is therefore immense », he declared in our columns a few weeks ago after concluding a season where he only missed the podium once.

Ekström, Hansen, Grönholm, present but insufficient

Mattias Ekström, Timmy Hansen and Niclas Grönholm also presented themselves as candidates for the title against the future triple champion. Ultimately the story was quite different. Although they tried to stand up to Johan Kristoffersson by winning four races between them, they never found the recipe to defeat him.

The trio undoubtedly paid for a lack of consistency which has been such a strength of the Swede this season. Mattias Ekström was Kristoffersson's biggest threat but the Swede missed a few outings which cost him several points in the standings.

Timmy Hansen gradually increased his pace. However, he was never able to worry his compatriot apart from the last race weekend of the year in Barcelona where he stole victory from him in the first final.

Niclas Grönholm was more discreet, achieving good results throughout the campaign but insufficient to destabilize Johan Kristoffersson.

A wasted end of the year

This 2020 season had everything to end in style. After the Barcelona double-header, the drivers were due to meet at Spa and the Nürburgring for what was expected to be a thrilling end to the campaign. In the end, none of this happened unfortunately.

Due to the health crisis, the Belgian and German organizers have decided to cancel the arrival of the set in order to avoid any risk. This double cancellation thus offered a third world crown to Johan Kristoffersson on a plate even if it held out its arms to him.

From now on, pilots are turning to 2021 season whose debut is expected at Spa-Francorchamps next May if the situation permits.