The 2021 FIA World Rallycross Championship was the eighth season of the FIA World Rallycross Championship, an auto racing championship recognised by the Fédération Internationale de l'Automobile (FIA) as the highest class of international rallycross.
The championship was due to begin on 12 June at the Lånkebanen in Norway and end on 10 October at the Circuit de Spa-Francorchamps in Belgium; however after calendar adjustments, it began on 23 July at the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya in Spain and ended on 28 November at the Nürburgring in Germany.
2021 was the first season with the WRC Promoter GmbH as the championship promoter after succeeding IMG,[1] subsequently formed Rallycross Promoter GmbH.[2] Johan Kristoffersson won the Drivers' Championship for the second consecutive year, with the title also being his fourth overall. Hansen World RX Team won the Teams' Championship.
Calendar
editThe 2021 championship was due to be contested over 10 rounds in Europe, the Middle East, and Sub-Saharan Africa.
The initial calendar was released on 16 December 2020, it included two unconfirmed slots: 1 for a round in Europe, and one for a round in the Middle East/Asia.[3]
On 26 March 2021, the calendar was adjusted due to the effects of COVID-19 pandemic; and the rounds in Finland, Middle East, and South Africa were removed from the calendar.[4] On 12 May 2021; the calendar was adjusted again by cancelling World RX of Norway, postponing World RX of Sweden, and World RX of Portugal returned to the calendar as the final round.[5]
Calendar Changes
edit- After being cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the World RX of Benelux, World RX of Germany, World RX of France and all returned to the calendar.
- After being on the 2020 calendar, then cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the World RX of Russia, World RX of Finland and World RX of Abu Dhabi were not included on the initial calendar.
- The World RX of South Africa firstly returned to the initial calendar, however it was removed from the calendar after the adjustment of the calendar.
- The World RX of Riga - Latvia was firstly not included in the initial calendar, it returned to the calendar after the adjustment. However, it is still subject to the contract.[4] On the 19th of July, it was announced that the event had been expanded to a double-header weekend, bringing the total number of championship rounds to 9.[6]
- The World RX of Norway firstly returned to the initial calendar, however it was removed from the calendar in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.[5]
- The World RX of Portugal was firstly not included in the initial calendars, it returned to the calendar after the cancellation of World RX of Norway.[5]
- The World RX of Germany was originally scheduled to hold a double header for rounds 2 and 3 of the season, but was later postponed due to the circuit aiding in the disaster relief efforts following the 2021 European floods.[7]
Series News
edit- The FIA announced a tender process to find a new promoter to replace IMG. IMG had been the championship's promoters since its inception in 2014.[8]
- On 11 February 2021, it was announced that WRC Promoter GmbH would replace IMG as the championship's promoter,[9] subsequently formed Rallycross Promoter GmbH on 21 April 2021.[2]
- The Supercar class was renamed RX1.[10]
- The RX2 class was discontinued. It was replaced by the electric RX2e class.[10]
Entries
editRX1
edit
RX2e
edit| Constructor | Team | Car | No. | Drivers | Rounds | Ref |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| QEV Technologies |  Ann Luijten
|
ZEROID X1[29] | 2 | Kobe Pauwels
|
5 | [30] |
 Ruben Fernandez Gil
|
5 | Pablo Suárez
|
1 | [31] | ||
| Monlau Competición
|
2-5 | [32] | ||||
 Olsbergs MSE
|
11 |  Dorian Deslandes
|
3 | [33] | ||
| 12 | Klara Andersson
|
4-5 | [34] | |||
| 28 | Filip Thorén
|
4-5 | [34] | |||
| 35 | Fraser McConnell [c]
|
1-2 | [35] | |||
| 47 |  Jesse Kallio
|
All | [36] | |||
| 82 | Isak Sjökvist
|
2-5 | [32] | |||
| 121 |  Conner Martell
|
3-4 | [33] | |||
 Patrick O'Donovan
|
13 | Patrick O'Donovan
|
All | [37] | ||
| Kristoffersson Motorsport
|
14 | Nils Andersson
|
2-3 | [38] | ||
 RN Kaspersky Racing Team
|
15 | Reinis Nitišs
|
3 | [33] | ||
| Linus Östlund
|
18 | Linus Östlund
|
2 | [32] | ||
| Damien Meunier
|
21 | Damien Meunier
|
1-2 | [39] | ||
 XITE Energy Racing
|
22 |  Christine Giampaoli Zonca
|
4 | [34] | ||
| Jan Oscar Ortfeldt
|
36 | Jan Oscar Ortfeldt [d]
|
1 | [40][41] | ||
| Acciona Sainz XE Team
|
44 | Laia Sanz
|
4 | [34] | ||
 G4 Motors SA
|
55 | José-Luis García Molina
|
1 | [42] | ||
| Mark Flaherty
|
77 | Mark Flaherty
|
1 | [43] | ||
 Ole-Henry Steinsholt
|
88 | Ole-Henry Steinsholt
|
1 | [44] | ||
| Guillaume De Ridder
|
96 | Guillaume De Ridder
|
All | [45] | ||
| Escuderia Mollerussa
|
112 | Pepe Arqué
|
5 | [30] | ||
| Cyril Raymond
|
113 | Cyril Raymond
|
3 | [33] | ||
| EKS JC
|
170 | Isak Reiersen
|
2 | [32] |
Championship Standings
editWorld Championship points are scored as follows:
| Position | ||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Round | 1st | 2nd | 3rd | 4th | 5th | 6th | 7th | 8th | 9th | 10th | 11th | 12th | 13th | 14th | 15th | 16th |
| Heats | 16 | 15 | 14 | 13 | 12 | 11 | 10 | 9 | 8 | 7 | 6 | 5 | 4 | 3 | 2 | 1 |
| Semi-Finals | 6 | 5 | 4 | 3 | 2 | 1 | ||||||||||
| Final | 8 | 5 | 4 | 3 | 2 | 1 | ||||||||||
RX1 Driver's Championship
edit
|
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RX1 Team's Championship
edit
RX2e Driver's Championshipedit
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Notes
edit- ^ World RX of Sweden was originally due to take place on 2–4 July 2021; however it was rescheduled to 20–22 August 2021 in response to the COVID-19 pandemic[5]
- ^ Hervé Knapick was entered into round 9, but was later withdrawn as a result of crash damage sustained in round 8.
- ^ Fraser McConnell is a Jamaican driver competing under a Swedish license.
- ^ Jan Oscar Ortfeldt is a Swedish driver competing under an Italian license.
- ^ Dan Öberg was deducted 10 championship points for the use of a fourth turbo over the season.
References
edit- ^ "FIA and WRC promoter to run World Rallycross from 2021". 11 February 2021.
- ^ a b "Rallycross Promoter GmbH builds team for World RX future". FIA World Rallycross. Archived from the original on 21 April 2021. Retrieved 22 April 2021.
- ^ Wood, Elliot (16 December 2020). "Finland returns for World RX 2021 but no new promoter yet". dirtfish.com. Dirtfish Media. Retrieved 30 December 2020.
- ^ a b "FIA World Rallycross Championship Adjusts 2021 Calendar". fiaworldrallycross.com. FIA World Rallycross. 26 March 2021. Archived from the original on 15 April 2021. Retrieved 26 March 2021.
- ^ a b c d e "Montalegre Returns On Revised Calendar". fiaworldrallycross.com. FIA World Rallycross. 12 May 2021. Archived from the original on 12 May 2021. Retrieved 26 March 2021.
- ^ "2021 WORLD RX OF RIGA-LATVIA BECOMES DOUBLE-HEADER EVENT". 19 July 2021. Retrieved 19 July 2021.
- ^ "World RX of Germany postponed as Nürburgring assists disaster relief effort". 22 July 2021. Retrieved 25 July 2021.
- ^ Ridge, Hal (14 October 2020). "FIA launches tender process to find new WRX promoter". motorsport.com. Motorsport Magazine. Retrieved 30 December 2020.[permanent dead link]
- ^ Wilde, Dominik (11 February 2021). "WRC Promoter appointed new World RX Rights Holder". dirtfish.com. Dirtfish Media. Retrieved 17 February 2021.
- ^ a b FVR (9 October 2020). "What's in a name - new names Supercar and Super1600". rallycross.com. Retrieved 30 December 2020.
- ^ "Kristoffersson fired-up for 'new challenge' with EKS JC". FIA WORLD RALLYCROSS CHAMPIONSHIP. 22 June 2021. Archived from the original on 22 June 2021. Retrieved 22 April 2021.
- ^ "IDE FIRST DRIVER TO COMMIT TO FULL 2021 SEASON". FIA WORLD RALLYCROSS CHAMPIONSHIP. 19 April 2021. Archived from the original on 10 May 2021. Retrieved 19 April 2021.
- ^ a b c d "CATALUNYA ENTRY FEATURES 17-STRONG GRIDS IN WORLD RX AND RX3". FIA WORLD RALLYCROSS CHAMPIONSHIP. 30 June 2021. Retrieved 30 June 2021.[permanent dead link]
- ^ a b c "Fourteen-car entry for Nürburgring season finale". FIA World Rallycross Championship. Retrieved 5 November 2021.
- ^ "EURO FRONT-RUNNERS JOIN WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP FRAY FOR NÜRBURGRING DOUBLE-HEADER". FIA WORLD RALLYCROSS CHAMPIONSHIP. 8 July 2021. Archived from the original on 8 July 2021. Retrieved 8 July 2021.
- ^ "DA RACING PREPARES FOR ELECTRIC FUTURE WITH 2021 PROGRAMME". FIA WORLD RALLYCROSS CHAMPIONSHIP. 17 June 2021. Archived from the original on 28 June 2021. Retrieved 19 June 2021.
- ^ "FLYING FINN RYTKÖNEN BACK FOR MORE WORLD RX ACTION IN 2021". FIA WORLD RALLYCROSS CHAMPIONSHIP. 25 June 2021. Archived from the original on 2 July 2021. Retrieved 28 June 2021.
- ^ "HEDSTRÖM EXCITED FOR 'OPPORTUNITY OF A LIFETIME' WITH GRX-SET AT HÖLJES". FIA WORLD RALLYCROSS CHAMPIONSHIP. 12 July 2021. Archived from the original on 12 July 2021.
- ^ "Entry lists released for Benelux World RX of Spa-Francorchamps". FIA World Rallycross Championship. Retrieved 23 September 2021.
- ^ a b "GRONHOLM AND SZABO SET TO MOUNT WORLD RX TITLE TILT WITH GRX". FIA WORLD RALLYCROSS CHAMPIONSHIP. 9 June 2021. Archived from the original on 14 June 2021. Retrieved 14 June 2021.
- ^ "World RX's first French winner returns to the fray for the Nürburgring". FIA World Rallycross Championship. Retrieved 26 October 2021.
- ^ "BRITAIN'S BENNETT REJOINS FRAY FOR CATALUNYA CURTAIN-RAISER". FIA WORLD RALLYCROSS CHAMPIONSHIP. 29 June 2021. Archived from the original on 29 June 2021. Retrieved 29 June 2021.
- ^ "KEVIN HANSEN: IT'S MY TIME TO SHINE!". FIA WORLD RALLYCROSS CHAMPIONSHIP. 7 June 2021. Archived from the original on 24 June 2021. Retrieved 22 June 2021.
- ^ "TIMMY HANSEN AIMING TO RECONQUER HIS CROWN IN 2021". FIA WORLD RALLYCROSS CHAMPIONSHIP. 11 June 2021. Archived from the original on 24 June 2021. Retrieved 22 June 2021.
- ^ "ABBRING SET FOR FIRST FULL WORLD RX SEASON WITH UNKORRUPTED". FIA WORLD RALLYCROSS CHAMPIONSHIP. 8 June 2021. Archived from the original on 11 June 2021. Retrieved 14 June 2021.
- ^ "Former World Champion Ekström rejoins fray for Riga". FIA World Rallycross Championship. Retrieved 13 September 2021.
- ^ a b "THREE ALL-INKL.COM MÜNNICH MOTORSPORT SEATS FOR BARCELONA". FIA WORLD RALLYCROSS CHAMPIONSHIP. 28 June 2021. Archived from the original on 3 July 2021. Retrieved 28 June 2021.
- ^ "FIA World Rallycross Championship". Twitter. 23 June 2021. Archived from the original on 23 June 2021.
- ^ RX2e. "The drivers test the car ahead of the 2023 season – RX2e". Retrieved 20 April 2023.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link) - ^ a b "Inaugural electric honours up for grabs in Nürburgring title-decider". FIA World Rallycross Championship. Retrieved 30 November 2021.
- ^ "Suárez excited to start FIA RX2e adventure on home soil with Spaniard all set for Catalunya contest". FIA RX2e CHAMPIONSHIP. 5 July 2021. Archived from the original on 5 July 2021. Retrieved 5 July 2021.
- ^ a b c d RX2e. "FIA RX2e Höljes entry list confirmed – RX2e". Retrieved 18 August 2021.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link) - ^ a b c d "Ex-World RX aces Nitišs and Raymond join RX2e field at Lohéac". FIA World Rallycross Championship. Retrieved 27 August 2021.
- ^ a b c d "Trio of fast females bolster stellar Spa grid in RX2e". FIA World Rallycross Championship. Retrieved 5 October 2021.
- ^ "Fraser McConnell targeting all-electric glory as Jamaican joins FIA RX2e for Barcelona curtain-raiser". FIA RX2e CHAMPIONSHIP. 30 June 2021. Archived from the original on 30 June 2021. Retrieved 2 July 2021.
- ^ "Kallio promises flat-out performances as flying Finn latest rising star added to FIA RX2e grid in Barcelona". FIA RX2e CHAMPIONSHIP. 1 July 2021. Archived from the original on 1 July 2021. Retrieved 2 July 2021.
- ^ "O'Donovan turns dream into reality with FIA RX2e entry as rallycross starlet announced for Barcelona". FIA RX2e CHAMPIONSHIP. 5 July 2021. Archived from the original on 5 July 2021. Retrieved 5 July 2021.
- ^ RX2e. "Andersson bolsters FIA RX2e Championship field with Swede ready to get stuck in at Höljes – RX2e". Retrieved 5 August 2021.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link) - ^ "Meunier joins burgeoning FIA RX2e field as French prodigy prepares for season-opener". FIA RX2e CHAMPIONSHIP. 2 July 2021. Archived from the original on 9 July 2021. Retrieved 3 July 2021.
- ^ RX2e. "Oscar Ortfeldt a late addition to RX2e grid as Pepe Arqué ruled out of Catalunya contest – RX2e". Retrieved 23 July 2021.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link) - ^ "DECISION No 02 Amended" (PDF). FIA. 23 July 2021. Archived (PDF) from the original on 23 July 2021. Retrieved 23 July 2021.
- ^ "García delighted to be part of 'important moment in motorsport' as FIA RX2e gears up for debut campaign". FIA RX2e CHAMPIONSHIP. 4 July 2021. Archived from the original on 4 July 2021. Retrieved 4 July 2021.
- ^ "Flaherty enters the fray with British ace ready to push FIA RX2e car to the limit in Barcelona". FIA RX2e CHAMPIONSHIP. 3 July 2021. Archived from the original on 3 July 2021. Retrieved 3 July 2021.
- ^ "Steinsholt commits to FIA RX2e curtain-raiser as rising rallycross star eyes Catalunya success". FIA RX2e CHAMPIONSHIP. 7 July 2021. Archived from the original on 7 July 2021. Retrieved 7 July 2021.
- ^ "Ex-World RX star De Ridder signs up to RX2e in bid to become first FIA electric rallycross champion". FIA RX2e CHAMPIONSHIP. 29 April 2021. Archived from the original on 29 April 2021. Retrieved 2 July 2021.