Johan Kristoffersson bounced back from the 2017 World RX of Spain with a bang as he dominated nearly every session of the 2017 World RX of Portugal.
The 2015 World RX of Portugal winner was fastest in Free Practice and in both Q1 and Q2 to lead the overnight standings after the first day. However on Sunday, things didn’t go exactly to plan after he missed his joker lap in Q3 before going twelfth fastest in Q4.
“I missed the joker lap in Q3 which was really frustrating and maybe that cost me the chance of a better position in the final, but these things can happen. It was a simple mistake, nothing more.”
Kristoffersson dominated the first day of the World RX of Portugal. Credit: IMG / FIA World RX
Despite this end to Qualifying, The PSRX Volkswagen Team Sweden driver ended up in third place and in the same Semi-Final race as his team-mate Petter Solberg. The two Volkswagen drivers qualified for the Supercar Final and all was going well as Kristoffersson took his joker on lap one and began to close on the leading pack.
Kristoffersson takes the story from here.
Johan Kristoffersson was a contender for the win in the Supercar Final. Credit: IMG / FIA World RX
“We went straight in behind Petter in the final, we had a plan to stay there for a while and it was all working well before he got the puncture,” he explained. “It was another really good weekend for the team, but it would have been nice to take the win as I think we both had the speed for it.”
With his third place finish in Portugal, Kristoffersson lies in second place in the FIA World Rallycross Drivers Championship and the team leading the FIA World Rallycross Teams Championship, the Swedish driver is really happy with his performance so far and is looking forward to the World RX of Hockenheim.
Kristoffersson is looking forward to the World RX of Hockenheim. Credit: IMG / FIA World RX
“Looking ahead, I have to say what an incredible job the team has done since Barcelona. Everybody worked really hard, we had some things on the car which needed some work and it’s all coming together now.”
“I can’t wait for the next race where Petter and I are so determined to bounce back with the first win of the year for PSRX Volkswagen Sweden.”
