The FIA RX2e Championship has produced non-stop action throughout its inaugural campaign, with the all-electric series proving a major hit as the lead support series on the FIA World Rallycross Championship package.
Four events have already taken place this year, with a host of different drivers enjoying their first taste of cutting-edge machinery in the innovative new category, and the title fight is heading down to the wire at the Nürburgring later this month (November 27/28).
Recap on all the best bits from the 2021 campaign below.
Round 1 – Catalunya, Spain (July 23-24)
Guillaume De Ridder produced a masterful display to dominate the maiden FIA RX2e event at the Circuit de Catalunya, becoming the first-ever winner in the all-electric championship.
The Belgian was fastest in all four qualifying sessions and battled to victory in his semi-final before taking advantage of an incident involving his main rivals Fraser McConnell and Jesse Kallio in the showpiece race.
That left the way clear for Ole Henry Steinsholt to claim second, with the Norwegian bouncing back after two significant crashes earlier in the day, while fellow teenager Patrick O’Donovan completed the rostrum on his international debut.
1. Guillaume De Ridder – 2. Ole Henry Steinsholt – 3. Patrick O’Donovan
Round 2 – Höljes, Sweden (August 20-22)
Kallio emerged triumphant after an enthralling battle with McConnell as Round 2 of the FIA RX2e Championship at the World RX of Sweden produced scintillating action at Höljes.
The Finnish ace bounced back from a disappointing Saturday to storm into contention with consecutive qualifying session wins before showing blistering pace in both the semi-finals and final to claim the overall spoils.
McConnell was a narrow second after impressing throughout the weekend at the iconic Värmland circuit, while Isak Sjökvist notched third on his RX2e debut after a frenetic final.
1. Jesse Kallio – 2. Fraser McConnell – 3. Isak Sjökvist
Round 3 – Lohéac, France (September 3-5)
Dorian Deslandes stunned the rallycross world with a spectacular victory on his FIA RX2e Championship debut at the Bretagne World RX of Lohéac.
The 18-year-old took two qualifying session wins and a semi-final triumph before keeping his cool to hold off fellow series newcomer Reinis Nitišs and Drivers’ Standings leader De Ridder on his international bow.
The result sparked emotional scenes at the iconic Brittany circuit, with Deslandes jumping onto the roof of his car and taking in the adulation of the partisan crowd while a visibly-emotional Cyril Raymond, mentor to the young French prodigy, looked on.
1. Dorian Deslandes – 2. Reinis Nitišs – 3. Guillaume De Ridder
Round 4 – Spa-Francorchamps, Belgium (October 9-10)
De Ridder held off title rival Kallio to claim a superb victory at the Benelux World RX of Spa-Francorchamps, putting the Belgian in control of the title fight ahead of the season finale at the Nürburgring.
De Ridder battled back from a tough Saturday to seal a popular win and extend his lead in the Drivers’ Standings to nine points, while the ever-improving Swedish ace Sjökvist came home third as the first-ever FIA electric rallycross championship served up spectacular action at the iconic Ardennes circuit.
Meanwhile, Klara Andersson impressed hugely on her RX2e debut with the Swedish racer setting third-fastest times in Q2 and Q3 on her way to a fourth-place finish.
1. Guillaume De Ridder – 2. Jesse Kallio – 3. Isak Sjökvist
FIA RX2e Championship Drivers’ Standings after Round 4
- 🇧🇪 Guillaume De Ridder – 105pts
- 🇫🇮 Jesse Kallio – 96pts
- 🇮🇪 Patrick O’Donovan – 59pts
- 🇪🇸 Pablo Suárez – 59pts
- 🇸🇪 Isak Sjökvist – 56pts
- 🇯🇲 Fraser McConnell – 49pts
- 🇫🇷 Dorian Deslandes – 30pts
- 🇸🇪 Nils Andersson – 29pts
- 🇺🇸 Conner Martell – 26pts
- 🇱🇻 Reinis Nitišs – 24pts
Click HERE for full standings
The FIA RX2e Championship reaches its dramatic conclusion at the World RX of Germany (November 27/28). You can watch every single race live on RX+, the new FIA World Rallycross Championship broadcast platform.
About FIA RX2e Championship
Sanctioned by the Fédération Internationale de l’Automobile (FIA), RX2e is a joint venture between Spanish electro-mobility specialist QEV Technologies, Olsbergs MSE and RX Promotion.
The vision for the FIA RX2e Championship is to provide a pathway to the top of the sport for aspiring rallycross stars, with five European events planned for its inaugural season in 2021, all in support of the FIA World Rallycross Championship.
2021 FIA RX2e Championship Calendar
July 23 – 24 Barcelona-Catalunya, Spain
August 20 – 22 Höljes, Sweden
September 3-5 Lohéac, France
October 9-10 Spa-Francorchamps, Belgium
November 27-28 Nürburgring, Germany
About QEV Technologies
QEV Technologies, a pioneering electric mobility global company created in Spain, is backed by a long and solid track record in the sustainable mobility sector, with a commitment to electric vehicles and a decade of experience in the manufacture of electric hypercars. The company is focused on the design and manufacture of electric vehicles for different sectors, using and developing cutting-edge technology, as well as on the conversion of combustion vehicles to electric vehicles. QEV Technologies has also an extensive-winning experience in motor racing.
