Series: Euro RX3
Championship Position: 1st
Wins: 4
Podium Finishes: 5 (1st/1st/1st/1st/2nd)
Having given 2021 champion Yury Belevskiy a run for his money in his rookie season, it was little surprise that Kobe Pauwels went into the 2022 FIA European Rallycross Championship campaign as the favourite for glory at Euro RX3 level – and he delivered with conviction.
The Belgian left it late before overhauling Jan Černý for victory in the Nyirád curtain-raiser – usurping his rival for the lead on the very last lap of the very last race. He then uncharacteristically found himself on the back foot for much of the weekend at Höljes, but pushed eventual winner Marius Solberg Hansen all the way to the chequered flag in the final.
Ever the perfectionist, Pauwels was frustrated at finishing ‘only’ second in Sweden, but he used the disappointment to spur him on – and from that stage forward, he was never beaten, doing enough to secure the title a round early courtesy of a dominant drive at Montalegre.
The 18-year-old had to dig deep again in the season finale at the Nürburgring, but he was not to be denied, and a fourth success from five starts capped a near-perfect campaign – a mere four points shy of a maximum score.
Finland
Italy
Hungary