Johan Kristoffersson delivered a scorching performance in the Hungarian heat to win Round 3 of the 2025 FIA World Rallycross Championship at the iconic Nyirád Racing Circuit, also known as the ‘Red Cauldron’. The KMS driver not only clinched victory in dominant style but also surged into the lead of the championship standings with a flawless weekend in Hungary.
The seven-time World RX Champion didn’t put a wheel wrong all weekend. After cruising through his semi-final while chaos unfolded behind him, Kristoffersson lined up on pole for an all-Scandinavian final and never looked back. From the drop of the green light, he expertly guided his Volkswagen Polo World RX over the demanding red gravel track, setting a blistering pace and even breaking the track record with a stunning 44.086-second lap.
The win marked another milestone in Kristoffersson’s storied career, and it was made even sweeter by a Kristoffersson Motorsport 1-2 finish, with teammate Ole Christian Veiby coming home in second after a composed drive. Veiby capitalised on an early opportunity when Kristoffersson pushed Niclas Grönholm wide into Turn 1, slipping up the inside and maintaining position despite pressure from behind.
Grönholm, who had led the championship up to this point, found himself tangled in further misfortune when he collided with CE Dealer Team teammate Klara Andersson in an attempt to recover. Stuck in traffic behind Juha Rytkönen, Grönholm had to settle for fifth, with Rytkönen holding strong in fourth.
Meanwhile, Timmy Hansen once again proved why he’s a podium mainstay in 2025. Despite a tough semi-final, the elder Hansen brother dug deep in the final, delivering a brilliant strategic joker lap to edge ahead of the CE Dealer team cars and secure third place—his third podium in as many races this season.
Final Standings – 2025 World RX Hungary (Nyirád):
- Johan Kristoffersson (Kristoffersson Motorsport)
- Ole Christian Veiby (Kristoffersson Motorsport)
- Timmy Hansen (Hansen Motorsport)
- Juha Rytkönen
- Niclas Grönholm
- Klara Andersson
Driver Reactions:
“It’s been a fantastic weekend for us. We struggled a little in FP1 and FP2, but found our way. It’s always nice to lead the championship, but you have to earn every point out there. Massive thanks to the team — a 1-2 result is a great reward!”
Johan Kristoffersson:
“We had a tough time at Höljes, but this weekend everything clicked. Johan is hard to beat, but I’m happy with second. That moment in the second corner was intense, but we kept it clean. Great weekend for the whole KMS team!”
Ole Christian Veiby:
“I risked everything in that final! Through the high-speed jump and tight corners, I was on the edge the whole time. P3 feels like a win today — I’m so proud of the team. I’m still fighting and now chasing Niclas in the standings!”
Timmy Hansen:
The Hungarian heat certainly lived up to the Red Cauldron nickname, delivering thrilling racing and pivotal shifts in the championship standings. With Kristoffersson now in the lead and Grönholm looking to bounce back, all eyes turn to Finland’s Kymiring — a brand-new venue promising fresh challenges when World RX resumes.