The 2023 FIA RX2e Championship season kinda started where the last one ended, with most of the same contenders being in front, but with Isak Sjökvist coming out on top at Hell in Norway while some were uncapable to shake off his good form and others simply fell along the way, like the current champion Viktor Vranckx.
Isak Sjökvist was looking set for a perfect score in the initial heats but as soon as the attrition hit him and Nils Andersson and Viktor Vranckx found pace, he saw his top spot come in a harder way than expected, while Mikaela Ahlin-Kottulinsky had an impressive fourth in her return to FIA RX2e, with a subpar Pablo Suarez having to settle for fifth after a mix of not having enough pace and race ending contacts, like when Ole Henry Steinsholt mounted his car on Suarez’ back wing.
Semifinal 1 had Sjökvist gaining advantage over Vranckx in a pacific manner, and things just went more into Sjökvist’s way as Vranckx hit the inside barrier on Lap 2, damaging the car beyond race condition. Victory went for a Sjökvist who ran mostly isolated while Pablo Suárez left his erratic Heats form behind to lead the chasing pack consistently while Cristina Gutierrez never left a chance to pass for Laia Sanz.
The home favorite was departing from the back in the second Semifinal, and Steinsholt found it early that it would be really hard to pass those in front as Nils Andersson was leading Ahlin-Kottulinsky, Filip Thorén and Catie Munnings. The Norwegian blew his chances as he did severe side contact with Munnings leaving the Joker lane, being forced to retire. Ahead of the incident, the positions remained unchanged as contact was avoided, with Andersson leading Ahlin-Kottulinsky and Thorén to the Final.
In the Final, Sjökvist had the advantage over Andersson with little to no liberties to offer as most of the field was compressed within a few meters. Pace was simply too similar near the end of the race but then Andersson started finding tenths to attack Sjökvist, but without a proper Joker tactic to overcut him, the #YellowSquad driver was firm in front from lights to flag.
The all-Swedish podium was completed by a competent Mikaela Ahlin-Kottulinsky, who kept her third position against Pablo Suárez.
RX2e Hell - Event results
The FIA RX2e Championship travels with the World RX to Höljes, being also part of the Magic Weekend on 2 July.
PHOTO: Red Bull Content Pool
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