A tyre puncture in the semi-final left Grönholm last in his heat and out of the day’s final. After four World Championship rounds, Grönholm is third in the overall standings.
In the heats, Grönholm placed second and third, just like yesterday. However, in the semi-final that determined the final spots, France’s Anthony Pelfrene hit the left rear corner of Grönholm’s car twice in the first two corners. As a result of the collisions, the rear tyre burst, and Grönholm had to retire.
“Luck wasn’t on our side today. I got a good start in the semi-final, but the way to the inside corner was blocked by others. I left room, but Pelfrene unexpectedly hit the rear corner of my car and then again in the next corner.”
Grönholm speculated that he was involved in every collision in the RX1e class today.
“Not a single proper lap. I can’t say what I should have done differently. I knew that starting from the second row, I couldn’t do any magic in the first corner. I decided to take fourth place in the start and try to climb to third using the joker lap.”
“Pelfrene’s hits were surprising. I didn’t expect him to hit my rear tyre twice. A bad day, but there’s nothing we can do about it. Yesterday, the points situation looked good, but now we’re behind again,” reminded the Finnish driver, who dropped to third in the overall standings.
The day’s World Championship final was won by Sweden’s Johan Kristoffersson, who leads the series. Grönholm’s teammate, Sweden’s Klara Andersson, finished third. Ole Christian Veiby, who rose to second in the World Championship standings, secured second place.
The FIA World Rallycross Championship continues in three weeks in Belgium, where the next two rounds of the championship will take place.
FIA World Rallycross Championship standings after 4/10 races:
1. Johan Kristoffersson 101 2. Ole Christian Veiby 76 3. Niclas Grönholm 67 4. Klara Andersson 67 5. Timmy Hanssen 66 6. Kevin Hansen 65 7. Gustav Bergström 33 8. Anthony Pelfrene 32
