Kristoffersson assesses his options for 2019 and has race and rally chances
Back-to-back World RX champion Johan Kristoffersson says it’s highly unlikely that he will be on the grid in 2019 as he weighs up circuit racing and rallying options, but is keen to return to the discipline.
The 11-time 2018 round winner said: “I’m disappointed that we cannot continue [in World RX] because for me it’s been two amazing years with great success.
“Since day one I’ve felt really comfortable and really welcome in PSRX, it’s been a really nice journey and I enjoyed every minute. It’s something that I will remember for the rest of my life but I 100 per cent understand the decision.”
Kristoffersson’s contract with the team comes to an end this month. He received final confirmation of the news that the Vw-backed squad would shelve its plans to compete in World RX next year on Thursday evening, before the announcement on Friday, the same day that he is believed to have tested a WTCR Volkswagen Golf at Portimao.
A source told MN that reigning Swedish Touring Car champion Kristoffersson attended the Portuguese test and ran at comparable pace to British driver Rob Huff. “I’m not closing any doors, but it is highly unlikely to see me in another rallycross team for 2019. For me scanning the market, the closest I’m looking at is within the Volkswagen family. I have been there since 2008 so that’s quite natural to look there and see what opportunities I have.”
Kristoffersson won the STCC title with his father’s team this season and is also set to drive a new Polo R5 for the team in rallying.
He will debut the car before the end of the year, and is working on plans to compete on Rally Sweden in February.
“There is still an evaluation going on about what happens with STCC for Kristoffersson Motorsport next year, so for sure there is testing going on,” he said. “Also within Volkswagen there are TCR cars running in the WTCR, but for the next couple of weeks rally will be my focus.”
The Swede says he is keen to return to rallycross, especially in the proposed electric switch in 2021. “If they are able to push through electric and there will be manufacturer teams running in 2021, I will most likely be there,” he said. “There will be a big, big difference between the 2018 and 2019 seasons in rallycross, next year it looks like it will be less manufacturers involved, but I don’t think that the announcement from Volkswagen’s side is decreasing the possibilities for an electric future in rallycross.”