The Volkswagen RX Sweden team are satisfied with their pace despite their poor results in the latter stages of the opening round of the FIA World Rallycross championship in Montalegre, Portugal.
Swede Johan Kristoffersson retired from the final after suffering damage from an accident with Petter Solberg, and team-mate Anton Marklund couldn’t progress to the final due to being caught in traffic during the semi-final.
“The pace was really good this weekend, but I made a small mistake in Q1, which meant I was in an early race in Q2 when the track was slower,” said Marklund, “in the semi-final I was trying to push at the start from the back but made a mistake and had to take the escape road, which was the joker lap behind four other cars.
“From there it was impossible to overtake four cars on this track. I learnt this weekend that you can’t make any mistakes in Q1, the pace is there and I’m really looking forward to show what we can do.”
Volkswagen team principal Michael Schneider is happy with the speed that was demonstrated by their Polo Supercar but hopes for a little more luck in the next round at Hockenheim.
“The weekend started very well with victory in Q1. I’m very satisfied with the results of the weekend, apart from the final,” said Schneider. “We really showed we had the pace and we will fight back in Hockenheim.
“We’ve proven the big steps we have taken before the season with the Volkswagen Polo RX, so thanks to all of the team for a huge effort.”
