Top 10 Drivers of 2022: Sivert Svardal (7th)

Series: Euro RX1
Championship Position: 4^th
Wins: 0
Podium Finishes: 0

For a driver who achieved no podium finishes over the course of the season, seventh position might appear a lofty position in this countdown – but that would be to ignore one of the absolute giant-killing performances of the 2022 FIA European Rallycross Championship campaign.

In a paddock featuring rallycross heavyweights of the calibre of SET Promotion, #YellowSquad (read Hansen Motorsport), EKS and JC Raceteknik, Sivert Svardal’s small, family-run operation stood out like a sore thumb – which only served to make his accomplishments all the more remarkable.

In half of the rounds, the reigning Cooper Tires ‘Rookie of the Year’ placed inside the top six in the Ranking and progressed through to the final; on seven occasions, he posted a top five fastest heat time, notably going fourth-quickest behind only Anton Marklund, Johan Kristoffersson and Oliver Solberg in heat three at Höljes – lofty company indeed. Given the resources at the Norwegian’s disposal, that was head-turning to say the least.

Luck was not always on Svardal’s side, particularly when it came to reliability, but even allowing for that, the 22-year-old still did enough to come within just four points of pipping JC’s Enzo Ide to a top three spot in the Euro RX1 standings, as he cemented an 11-place improvement over 2021...