World RX – Petter Solberg wins the title in Franciacorta!

Petter Solberg (Citroën DS3) only needed a fifth place in the final to secure the title in Franciacorta (Italy), after his rival Toomas Heikkinen (Volkswagen Polo) was eliminated in the semi-final. The Norwegian secured the last step of the podium and becomes the first driver to win two world titles in two FIA World Championships after his coronation won in WRC in 2003.

Timmy Hansen (Peugeot 208) also brought great joy to the Team Peugeot-Hansen clan since the son of Kenneth Hansen finally offered victory to the Sochaux manufacturer by dominating the final to win ahead of Richard Göransson (Ford Fiesta). Timur Timerzyanov places the second official 208 at the foot of the podium, ahead of Johan Kristoffersson (VW Polo), the leader of the first day, and Andreas Bakkerud (Ford Fiesta), who came back from the devil after a catastrophic start to the event.

Albatec Racing is not celebrating since Jacques Villeneuve and Andy Scott did not reach the semi-finals. Gigi Galli (Ford Fiesta) failed to reach the final by finishing fourth in her semi-final. Davy Jeanney (Citroën DS3) did not have this privilege by only taking 15th place. Jérôme Grosset-Janin (Renault Clio 3) saw his weekend end prematurely, suffering from a back collapse contracted upon landing a jump. The Frenchman underwent examinations at the hospital which revealed nothing worrying.

Discover the report from the World RX in Franciacorta in issue 1980 of AUTOhebdo, available from tomorrow evening in digital version on all platforms, and from Wednesday on newsstands.