Swedish star Johan Kristoffersson will return to the FIA World Rallycross Championship in 2021 to defend his title as he trades in his Volkswagen Polo GTI for an Audi S1. Here is all you need to know:
Kristoffersson’s first crown came in 2017 when he won seven races on the way to securing the overall championship and the following season brought yet more success as the Swede defended his title in dominant fashion, winning a record-breaking 11 races during the season.
The former cross-country skier lifted his third FIA World Rallycross title in 2020 thanks to wins in four of the eight races with two seconds, one third and one fourth rounding out another stellar season.
The 32-year-old reigning champion returns this year with a new set of wheels and he has full confidence in his new team, especially given their own impressive results last season.
The Arvika native revealed: “The whole set-up about rallycross is so enjoyable and I really like the format. I really can’t wait to get back into rallycross with my new car and see where we are at. The goal when you enter a championship as the defending champion is always to win it again. That’s the target, not only for me but also for the team because they are the reigning team champions. The competition will always be there and because rallycross is rallycross there will always be a lot of action. We expect a lot of competition, but we are ready for it.”
Seven European races will decide the title starting in Barcelona, Spain on July 23-24 with further stops in Germany, Sweden, France, Latvia and Belgium leading into Portugal‘s Montalegre finale on October 23-24.
Kristoffersson has proved how quickly he can adapt to new challenges this year as he won at the first two rounds of the inaugural Extreme E Championship, driving alongside team-mate Molly Taylor behind the wheel of their Odyssey 21 electric SUV for Rosberg X Racing.
