Rallycross
5 things we learned from the opening round of World Rallycross in Barcelona
The curtain-raising WRX race in Catalonia produced plenty of drama, as the stewards stepped in to decide the final result. Here's what went down in Barcelona.
Part of this story
The 2018 FIA World Rallycross Championship got off to a flying start at the weekend. With wheel-to-wheel racing on the mixed terrain Circuit de Catalunya, we were given a taste of what's to come during the 12-round season. These are our takeaways from the action…
1. Stewards step in to deny Mattias Ekström victory
Mattias Ekström was in imperious form behind the wheel of his Audi S1 EKS RX quattro all weekend. After making contact with Petter Solberg's VW on the run to turn one in the final race, Ekström went on to claim the chequered flag. However, after reviewing video evidence, stewards determined the Swede was at fault for the incident with Solberg and subsequently disqualified him from the final.
"In the final everything was up for grabs and finally I had a good start," Ekström told RedBull.com. "In the first turn I felt some bumping, but in my opinion, it was all just a racing incident. Unfortunately the race stewards saw this situation differently, and even though we don't like it, we have to respect it."
2. Ekström has picked out a fast lieutenant
Andreas Bakkerud celebrated his first WRX event as part of the EKS Audi Sport Team by bagging a podium finish. As a consequence of Ekström's eventual disqualification from the final, Bakkerud was promoted from fourth to third place. The result in Barcelona gave the Norwegian his 19th WRX podium result in his 50th race in the series.
Bakkerud and Ekström picked up points in Barcelona
© Jaanus Ree/Red Bull Content Pool
Mattias Ekström leads Kevin Hansen onto the dirt
© Jaanus Ree/Red Bull Content Pool
Andreas Bakkerud leaps onto the Barcelona podium
© Jaanus Ree/Red Bull Content Pool
3. Sébastien Loeb gets by with a little help from his friends
"The only negative to this weekend is that there were so many positives we weren't able to capitalise on," Loeb revealed. "I'm eager to get some revenge now in the next round in Portugal. I just want to get back in the car and try again."
4. Timmy Hansen comes to halt
Sébastien Loeb on the move in Barcelona
© Jaanus Ree/Red Bull Content Pool
Peugeot team-mates Sébastien Loeb and Kevin Hansen
© Jaanus Ree/Red Bull Content Pool
Kevin Hansen proved himself to be a real team player in Barcelona
© Jaanus Ree/Red Bull Content Pool
A disappointing end to the weekend for Timmy Hansen
© Jaanus Ree/Red Bull Content Pool
5. Defending champion comes out on top
While Loeb and Bakkerud enjoyed a boost up the rankings as a result of Ekström's disqualification, the biggest benefactor was Johan Kristoffersson. Ekström's fellow Swede moved from second overall to first place to get the defence of his World Rallycross title off to the perfect start.
Follow all the action during the 2018 FIA World Rallycross Championship on our dedicated Rallycross page.
Part of this story