Mattias Ekstrom’s Audi squad EKSRX were crowned the 2016 FIA World Rallycross Teams Champions at the finale of this years FIA World Rallycross Championship: The World RX of Argentina.
With Ekstrom sealing the Drivers Title last time out in Germany, the German squad held a 17 point lead going into the final round of the season ahead of rivals Team Peugeot-Hansen with 56 points on offer. However the Audi S1 Quattro’s faired better during qualifying in the difficult conditions as both Ekstrom and Topi Heikkinen were well within the top ten spots for the Semi-Finals.
After finishing second and third respectively in Semi-Final one, both drivers qualified for the Final and at that point had secured the title as Timmy Hansen failed to make the Semi’s and Sebastien Loeb failed to make it to the Final.
EKSRX Celebrate winning the 2016 FIA World Rallycross Teams Championship in Argentina. Credit: EKS
Ekstrom praised the hard work of the team in securing the title.
“Today, I’m really proud as a team boss and driver,” said Ekström. “It’s something really special to make both championships in one year. That trophy today means a huge amount to the team and me. It shows that we all did an excellent job, and not just this year. When we started EKS three years ago, there was nothing at all.
“Now we are driver and team World Champions and I’ll remember a great many moments forever. I want to give a big hand to Topi as well. He did a really good job and I’m happy about his podium finish today.”
Heikkinen was overjoyed to have completed the season with a podium finish as he took third place behind race winner Andreas Bakkerud and second placed Johan Kristoffersson in the Final.
“It’s a super nice feeling to be back on the podium. For me, this is the cherry on the cake. Our first aim was to secure the teams’ championship and when we were sure to have that one in the pocket, it was a very nice feeling. In the final I had a nice battle with Mattias, but he gave me some space, like he always does in the case I’m there. It’s a big pleasure to be part of this great team, because all of the guys work really hard and they deserve this title.”
This is also the first time in World RX history that the same driver and team combination have won both the Drivers Championship and the Teams Championship in the same season.
