Team News - Niclas Grönholm going “all in” to regain World RX championship lead at home in Finland

Niclas Grönholm is determined to regain his lead in the FIA World Rallycross Championship points standings on home turf this weekend in Finland. The RX of Finland event begins on Saturday, August 23, at the new KymiRing venue - around two hours east of the country’s capital, Helsinki. 

The 1.66 kilometre (1.03 mile) KymiRing circuit presents a prime opportunity for Grönholm to claw back his seven point deficit to championship leader, Johan Kristofferson. Not only does the Finn have the psychological boost of having his home crowd to cheer him on, the 29 year-old is the last driver to have won a World RX event in Finland. 

At the previous Finland RX venue, the ‘Old Kouvola’ Tykkimäki circuit, Grönholm took a commanding win in 2020. Overcoming difficult wet/dry conditions, he claimed victory ahead of Kristofferson, and other previous World RX title winners, Mattias Ekström and Timmy Hansen.

“Heading into the KymiRing, my strategy is simple - I’m going “all in” to get back on top in the title standings. I’m aiming to do that with a win,” said a determined Grönholm. “In 2025, you only score championship points in the Final of a World RX event, so the top step of the podium is more important than ever.” 

Given the FIA World Rallycross Championship has not held an event at the KymiRing until now, Grönholm - who is managed by the GRX management team - feels that heading into the unknown is a great leveller in the championship fight. 

“From what I’ve seen, the circuit looks good and it’s important to remember that none of us have raced here before as World RX drivers,” he continued. “We have a mixed weather forecast for the weekend, so that’s another factor we have to handle. 

In the run up to the KymiRing event, the CE Dealer Team driver also gained some valuable seat-time at a short test at the Old Kouvola track. 

“We won’t know until Saturday morning whether we have made any performance gains during testing, but seat-time is always valuable, concluded Grönholm. “I definitely feel I’ve gained more of an understanding about how to set up our all-electric PWR RX1e in changeable conditions. Let’s keep everything crossed for a good weekend at home.” 

GRX Team Manager, Marcus Grönholm, was equally pleased to see World RX return to Finland and is just as hopeful as his driver for a strong return to form at the KymiRing. 

“After Hungary, Niclas dusted himself down. He then kept focussed on remaining sharp ahead of Finland RX by working hard, and even competing for us on a few rounds of the Finnish Rally Championship where he was again battling at the top of the time sheets,” said the two-time World Rally Champion and winner of 30 WRC events. “Looking to this weekend, it’s difficult to predict what will happen at the KymiRing because it’s a new circuit and the weather is set to be tricky.

“However, Niclas has been consistently quick throughout the entire 2025 World RX season, so there’s no reason why he can’t fight for a second win in Finland. All of us at GRX, Finnish or not, are supporting him 110% as he looks to reclaim the lead in the World RX championship standings.”