ROUND BY ROUND

1 Barcelona, Spain APRIL 15

Mattias Ekstrom and Petter Solberg start on the front row of the final, but Ekstrom squeezes Solberg into the inside Turn 1 barrier and ends Solberg’s challenge. Ekstrom wins, but is later disqualified. Johan Kristoffersson inherits victory ahead of Sebastien Loeb, Andreas Bakkerud and Niclas Gronholm. 1 Johan Kristoffersson (VW Polo) 2 Sebastien Loeb (Peugeot 208) 3 Andreas Bakkerud (Audi S1)

2 Montalegre, Portugal APRIL 29

The weather is the headline act in Portugal, as snow covers the Montalegre Circuit on day two of round two. EKS Audi drivers Ekstrom and Bakkerud trip over each other at the first corner of their semi-final, which allows Kristoffersson to sneak into the lead and ultimately claim victory. Loeb and Solberg complete the podium. 1 Johan Kristoffersson (VW Polo) 2 Sebastien Loeb (Peugeot 208) 3 Petter Solberg (VW Polo)

3 Mettet, Belgium MAY 13

Ekstrom tops the qualifying runs from Timmy Hansen and Kristoffersson, but it’s the reigning champion who wins his semi to take pole for the final. A slippery grid slot hampers his start and the Polo driver is forced into the wall at Turn 1. Loeb takes the advantage to win from Solberg and Hansen. 1 Sebastien Loeb (Peugeot 208) 2 Petter Solberg (VW Polo) 3 Timmy Hansen (Peugeot 208)

4 Silverstone, Great Britain MAY 27

Kristoffersson starts on pole for the first semi-final at Silverstone’s maiden World RX event, but contact with PSRX team-mate Solberg sends the Swede into the Turn 1 barriers. With a tyre wall blocking the circuit, Kristoffersson makes the restart and while Solberg is forced to retire, the points leader wins another final, this time from Bakkerud and Loeb. 1 Johan Kristoffersson (VW Polo) 2 Andreas Bakkerud (Audi S1) 3 Sebastien Loeb (Peugeot 208)

5 Hell, Norway JUNE 10

Kristoffersson equals an achievement set by Bakkerud in 2016 at the same circuit by topping every session in the build up to the semi-finals. Behind the dominant victory, Ekstrom and Solberg make the podium while Kevin Hansen beats his brother for fourth. 1 Johan Kristoffersson (VW Polo) 2 Mattias Ekstrom (Audi S1) 3 Petter Solberg (VW Polo)

6 Holjes, Sweden JULY 1

Peugeot introduces a new 208 for Holjes, but Loeb goes out in the semis and Timmy Hansen has contact in the final corners of the event with Ekstrom, which leaves him in the kitty litter. Kristoffersson wins again, while Bakkerud is second and a surprised Jerome Grosset-janin finishes on the podium, the first for the GCK team. 1 Johan Kristoffersson (VW Polo) 2 Andreas Bakkerud (Audi S1) 3 Jerome Grosset-janin (Renault Megane)

7Trois-rivieres, Canada AUGUST 5

Ninth at the end of day one, Kristoffersson battles back to start on the front row of the final. He may have been beaten to victory by Timmy Hansen, but a mistake by the Peugeot pilot on the opening lap of the final hands Kristoffersson the advantage. Hansen finishes second and Loeb is third, despite a spin at the end of his semi forcing him to race to the finish line with Janis Baumanis. 1 Johan Kristoffersson (VW Polo) 2 Timmy Hansen (Peugeot 208) 3 Sebastien Loeb (Peugeot 208)

8 Loheac, France SEPTEMBER 2

EKS drivers Ekstrom and Bakkerud win the semis to start at the front of the final. Bakkerud takes the race lead but with Kristoffersson having taken an early joker, the Audi-backed team fails to joker its drivers early enough and both are passed by the VW man. Bakkerud hangs onto second with Solberg third, but Ekstrom is only fourth. 1 Johan Kristoffersson (VW Polo) 2 Andreas Bakkerud (Audi S1) 3 Petter Solberg (VW Polo)

9 Riga, Latvia SEPTEMBER 16

Kristoffersson wins three of the four qualifying sessions, the first semi-final and the final to move within touching distance of the crown, while Ekstrom and Loeb fight over second. Gronholm is fourth again but Solberg misses the final. Reinis Nitiss wins the Euro RX Supercar title. 1 Johan Kristoffersson (VW Polo) 2 Mattias Ekstrom (Audi S1) 3 Sebastien Loeb (Peugeot 208)

10 Circuit of the Americas,usa SEPTEMBER 30

In rejuvenated form having suffered from a lung condition through the year, Solberg tops qualifying but Kristoffersson secures the title in the semi-finals. Solberg leads the final from the front, until a mistake with a lap and a half to go hands track position and victory back to Kristoffersson. Bakkerud completes the podium after a battle with Loeb. 1 Johan Kristoffersson (VW Polo) 2 Petter Solberg (VW Polo) 3 Andreas Bakkerud (Audi S1)

11 Estering, Germany OCTOBER 14

With the title in the bag, Kristoffersson’s sights are immediately set on conquering his bogey event back in Europe, at Buxtehude. He does so in style for win number 10. Ekstrom and Bakkerud complete the podium, while the final is red flagged when Kevin Hansen crashes out heavily and makes a precautionary trip to hospital. PSRX wins teams’ title. 1 Johan Kristoffersson (VW Polo) 2 Mattias Ekstrom (Audi S1) 3 Andreas Bakkerud (Audi S1)

12 Capetown, South Africa NOVEMBER 25

A spin and mechanical problems in Q1 do nothing to slow Kristoffersson’s charge as a trio of fastest times put him equal with Loeb after qualifying. While Kristoffersson storms to win number 11, Ekstrom wins the battle for second in the points against Bakkerud then announces his retirement. Loeb completes the podium, Solberg spins in the final and is hit by Timmy Hansen. 1 Johan Kristoffersson (VW Polo) 2 Mattias Ekstrom (Audi S1) 3 Sebastien Loeb (Peugeot 208)