Kristoffersson hopeful for rallycross’ future

Kristoffersson has unquestionably been the dominant force in World RX since the championship’s inception back in 2014 – even if he admits he ‘wasn’t good enough as a driver’ in the early days. The Swede first claimed the biggest prize in 2017, and has consistently defeated some of motorsport’s biggest names, from Petter Solberg and Mattias Ekström to Timmy Hansen, Niclas Grönholm and Sébastien Loeb.

Eight title triumphs in nine seasons bear testament to a rare talent indeed, and having experienced the highs and lows of World RX’s journey over the years, Kristoffersson hopes the best chapters are yet to be written.

“We’ve definitely been missing many drivers that we hope will come back to rallycross in front of a huge crowd,” the Swedish star told Andreas Bakkerud, world championship runner-up in 2019 and co-commentator for the official broadcast alongside Andrew Coley in 2025.

He added: “A guy like you shouldn’t be standing with a microphone – you should be behind the wheel. This sport deserves so much more, and that is what we hope for moving forward.”

Fan-favourite Bakkerud, of course, has since confirmed his return to the grid in the new-look FIA European Rallycross Championship next year for his first full-season assault on honours since 2021. FIA Vice-President for Sport Europe, Anna Nordkvist, sees the Norwegian’s early commitment as a positive sign that the approach adopted by the international governing body as series promoter is the correct one.

“Taking this break now is perhaps, ultimately, the best thing for the discipline,” she told Swedish daily newspaper, Värmlands Folkblad. “It will give us the time to rebuild together, with new technical regulations that should be finalised within the next 12 months.

“I completely understand that no longer having a world championship is disappointing for many, but there is much at stake here and finding a fair balance between electric and internal combustion-engined cars in the ‘Battle of Technologies’ was a very complex issue to resolve. So perhaps this is the right path...”