• Niclas Gronholm of GRX Taneco wins the final race at FIA World Rallycross Championship at Yas Marina Circuit, Abu Dhabi. All photos by Victor Besa / The National
    Niclas Gronholm of GRX Taneco wins the final race at FIA World Rallycross Championship at Yas Marina Circuit, Abu Dhabi. All photos by Victor Besa / The National
  • Gronholm wins the final race with his Hyundai i20.
    Gronholm wins the final race with his Hyundai i20.
  • Gronholm wins the final race with his Hyundai i20.
    Gronholm wins the final race with his Hyundai i20.
  • Kevin Hansen of Team Hansen MJP leads the first few laps but eventually gets overtaken midway through the race by Gronholm.
    Kevin Hansen of Team Hansen MJP leads the first few laps but eventually gets overtaken midway through the race by Gronholm.
  • Janis Baumanis of Team Stard lands the jump during the semi- finals race.
    Janis Baumanis of Team Stard lands the jump during the semi- finals race.
  • Rokas Baciuška of ESmotorsport - Labas GAS in his Skoda Fabia after the race.
    Rokas Baciuška of ESmotorsport - Labas GAS in his Skoda Fabia after the race.
  • The Peugeot 208 of Hansen at the pole position at the semi-final race,
    The Peugeot 208 of Hansen at the pole position at the semi-final race,
  • Starting line officials of Yas Marina Circuite before the final races.
    Starting line officials of Yas Marina Circuite before the final races.
  • Drivers at the final race grid.
    Drivers at the final race grid.
  • Gronholm and Renis Nitiss, right, chat before the race.
    Gronholm and Renis Nitiss, right, chat before the race.
  • Pit crew of Janis Baumanis of Team Stard checks the tire pressure of his Ford Fiesta car.
    Pit crew of Janis Baumanis of Team Stard checks the tire pressure of his Ford Fiesta car.
  • Timo Scheider in his Fiat Ibiza takes the jump ahead of Gronholm in his Hyundai i20 during the second race.
    Timo Scheider in his Fiat Ibiza takes the jump ahead of Gronholm in his Hyundai i20 during the second race.
  • Fans watch the second race.
    Fans watch the second race.
  • Guerlain Chicherit in his Renault Megane RS in action during the second race.
    Guerlain Chicherit in his Renault Megane RS in action during the second race.
  • Hansen leads the group in his Peugeot.
    Hansen leads the group in his Peugeot.
  • Excitement builds up in the first race,
    Excitement builds up in the first race,
  • Andreas Bakkerud walks out of his Audi s1 after a crash.
    Andreas Bakkerud walks out of his Audi s1 after a crash.
  • Gronholm takes the lead on the first corner of the first race.
    Gronholm takes the lead on the first corner of the first race.
  • The first official race starts.
    The first official race starts.

Other Sport

Kevin Hansen promoted to World RX winner at Yas Marina Circuit after Niclas Gronholm handed three-second penalty

GRX Taneco Hyundai i20 driver penalised for coming together with Hansen during inaugural FIA World Rallycross Championship of Abu Dhabi

Amith Passela
Amith Passela

April 07, 2019

  • English
  • Arabic

The result of the World RX race at the inaugural FIA World Rallycross Championship of Abu Dhabi was sensationally reversed on Sunday after Niclas Gronholm was handed a three-second penalty.

The GRX Taneco Hyundai i20 driver was first past the finish line at Yas Marina Circuit in Saturday's race, edging out Peugeot's Kevin Hansen in a fierce battle that went down to the wire in the six-lap final.

It was a first win of the 22-year-old Gronholm's FIA World Rallycross Championship career, but the three-second penalty for a coming together with Hansen saw him relegated to second place with the Swede promoted to race winner.

Liam Doran in the Monster Energy RX Cartel Audi S1 claimed his first podium by taking third.

Saturday was the opening round of the 2019 FIA World Rallycross Championship. Al Tareq Al Ameri, chief executive of Yas Marina Circuit, said: “The final was a fantastic way to finish what has been an incredible weekend and we are delighted to have opened the World Rallycross 2019 season in Abu Dhabi,

“Once again, we have proved that Yas Marina Circuit is a world-class venue capable of hosting globally resonant events. We would like to offer our congratulations to all the drivers and teams that participated, as well as our thanks to our valued partners whose support made this weekend possible.”

Torben Olsen, managing director of the FIA World Rallycross Championship for IMG, the series promoter, added: “Our first visit to the UAE has been a resounding success.

“The people of Abu Dhabi have embraced World RX and we have been delighted to bring world-class rallycross to a region which already has a strong motorsport following.

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