Szabó’s career CV is peppered with success. In
addition to his consecutive Super1600 (now Euro RX3) titles in 2016 and 2017, the
32-year-old has clinched the crown in the Hungarian Autocross Championship as well as both
the FIA Buggy1600 and Junior Buggy series’.
He ascended
the podium on his Euro RX Supercar (now Euro RX1) bow at Lohéac in 2018, and
from 24 FIA World Rallycross Championship starts between 2019 and 2021, Szabó advanced
to the final on ten occasions – twice reaching the rostrum in his last season
in the discipline’s
top-flight.
Since then,
however, the Hungarian’s competitive appearances have been few and far between,
as he has instead devoted his time primarily to driver coaching, spotting
and data engineering for up-and-coming
talents.
Szabó’s most recent outing was over a year ago
in an RX150 buggy, although in preparation for his comeback this weekend, he has
conducted a test in a different Super1600 car in Latvia in a bid to shake off
the cobwebs.
“It’s not a full return unfortunately, just a one-off,
but I’m looking forward to it very much,” enthused the Vác native, who last
contested an international event in Hungary ten years ago. “I was actively looking
for a good opportunity. It’s no secret that Euro RX1 was my preferred choice,
but the right kind of option wasn’t available there and racing with Volland in
Euro RX3 is definitely the next-best thing.
“It will be nice to work with the team again. I
have good memories of driving for Rolf [Volland – team owner] in the past – it
was the most successful period of my rallycross career. He was just building
the current Audis back then – I remember seeing them but they still weren’t
ready at the time, so I’ve been waiting for the chance to drive one ever since!
“I’m not sure how prepared I feel, if I’m
honest! I was surprised how quickly I settled back into the groove when I tested
the Super1600 car recently, but I’ll need to get used to the new Hoosier tyres
and the starts will be very different to RX1. I’ve also never actually raced on
the rallycross track at Nyirád. I’ve done a lot of laps and won races on the
autocross track there, but the rallycross track will be new to me, so it will
be interesting to see what it’s like.
“This weekend will be mainly for fun – for the
joy of racing – but of course I always aim to achieve the best result possible.
We know how fast Nils [Volland] is and the other Hungarian drivers in the field
will also be very quick and obviously
know the track much better than I do! It’s a cliché, but once you get into the
final in rallycross, anything can happen so that’s my target. The car is clearly
capable of winning, so the rest of it is up to me...”
Greece
Poland
Portugal