Team News: Grönholm targeting second consecutive Hungary RX win

Grönholm is carrying strong momentum into the Hungary RX weekend. He claimed the win at the opening round of the 2025 World RX season in Lousada, and finished second last time out in Höljes where he extended his championship to 44 points, six ahead of his nearest title contender, Johan Kristofferson. 

The 29 year-old Finn also heads to the 1.2km (0.7 mile) Nyriád circuit with the advantage of having won the first ever Hungary RX event in 2024. 

“We took victory in Hungary last year, and we can apply the data we collected from the event to target a back-to-back win in 2025,” he said. “While the most recent event in Höljes was crazy with the rain, we saw how well our all-electric RX1e performs in the dry in Lousada. Since then, we’ve been testing and made some further performance tweaks to our powertrain. I’m looking forward to getting going in Hungary.” 

Nicknamed the ‘Red Couldron’ for its usually hot and dusty conditions, the weather at Nyriád is forecast to be dry during the upcoming World RX weekend. 

Despite the heat expected to reach up to 31°C, Grönholm - who is managed by the GRX management team - remained characteristically cool and grounded regarding the mounting title challenge from Kristofferson. 

“I’m not particularly interested in anyone else’s race,” said Grönholm. “Our car is good, we have shown we can perform strongly here, and we know what we have to do. There are just three races remaining after Hungary. It’s vital to strike a balance between going all out for the win where possible, and playing a strategic game where we need to.” 

GRX Team Manager, two-time World Rally Championship Marcus Grönholm echoed the quiet confidence of his driver/

“Whether it be World RX or the Finnish Rally Championship, Niclas has been driving at a very high level and is in the form of his life,” commented the winner of 31 WRC events. 

“He showed in Lousada he can soak up massive pressure when leading, and in Höljes he took no risks to head into Hungary to remain at the top of the FIA World RX points table. He knows what he has to go and do.” 

Action begins for Hungary RX with free practice at 09:30 local time on Saturday, July 19.