Klara Andersson finished an impressive debut season in WRX with her strongest weekend to date, winning her first heat and being awarded Racer of the Weekend.
At the last round of the 2022 World Rallycross Championship, Swedish star Klara Andersson once again made history in the highest class of rallycross. After becoming the first ever full time female entry, the first ever female driver to step on the podium, she now became the first ever woman to win a heat in the top series.
The Swede continued to show her speed with one of her best weekends to date in the sport at the German round at the famous Nürburgring.
Klara Andersson is setting new records in the highest class of rallycross to show all young female enthusiasts was can be achieved - and she's doing so in her first full season in WRX, impressing the whole paddock.
Andersson stood on the podium, won a heat, scored points and has always been close to some of the undisputed legends of the sport; undoubtedly, the future is hers.
Here's a summary of her latest weekend.
The Nürburgring was again friendly territory for world champion Johan Kristoffersson, who scored another win in a nearly undefeated-streak this season: the Swede secured his 35th victory of his WRX career. Kevin Hansen followed in second place - before he was later disqualied - ahead of Niclas Grönholm, who was promoted to the final thanks to his teammate Klara Andersson's withdrawn from the final, which gave the Finn the chance to battle for the second place in the championship standings.
Klara had an awesome run in the third heat, where she defended her position against rallycross ace Timmy Hansen and showed all her potential, ultimately winning her first ever heat this season. Having once again gained access to the final, she was then withdrawn under team order. Nevertheless, she highly impressed with her perfomance and will hopefully continue her journey next season in the series.
Her 2022 was regardless way quite impressive: she reached the final in Norway at her debut round in WRX and scored her first podium in Portugal two round later. Andersson started fast at the following round, defending like a champion against Timmy Hansen to score her ever first heat win - despite being then disqualified for a contact - with the third fastest time overall. She would finish seventh ni the championship standings in her maiden WRX season.
Klara Andersson was also chosen for a second time as the "Racer of the Weekend" by Cooper Tires in the German round: her stunning drive gained her a new set of Cooper Tires.
"This was my best race of the season and I’m proud of what we did this weekend", Andersson said. "The team did an amazing job coaching me, and I’m thankful for everyone believing in me!"
Klara will be back next weekend for the final Extreme E round in Uruguay, joining Nasser Al-Attiyah at ABT CUPRA XE, stepping in for Jutta Kleinschmidt - who is still recovering from her previous accident in Chile. Klara, who scored a podium on her series debut, will be aiming high again to end the season in style.
