2015 World RX of Argentina: Robin Larsson Triumphs in Season Finale
The 2015 World RX of Argentina served as the dramatic conclusion to the second season of the FIA World Rallycross Championship. Held in Rosario, Santa Fe, this 13th and final round of the year brought together the world's elite drivers for a high-stakes battle on the dirt and asphalt of the Autódromo Municipal Juan Manuel Fangio.
The event was marked by unexpected challenges before the engines even started. Due to the declaration of unsafe track conditions on the first scheduled day of competition, the entire event was compressed into a single day. This logistical shift resulted in a historic first for the World Championship: an event conducted with only three heats instead of the standard four.
Key Facts
- Winner: Robin Larsson (Larsson Jernberg Racing Team)
- Venue: Autódromo Municipal Juan Manuel Fangio, Rosario, Argentina
- Champion: Petter Solberg secured his second consecutive world title
- Format Change: Reduced to a one-day event with only three heats due to track safety concerns
- Date: November 28–29, 2015
The Road to the Final
The Heats
The qualifying heats were a display of raw speed and tactical positioning. Andreas Bakkerud of Olsbergs MSE took the win in Heat 1, while Timmy Hansen of Team Peugeot-Hansen dominated both Heat 2 and Heat 3. Because Heat 4 was cancelled to accommodate the one-day schedule, drivers had fewer opportunities to make up ground, making every lap critical.
The Semi-Finals
The competition intensified in the semi-finals, where the field was split into two groups to determine the final six contenders. Robin Larsson claimed victory in Semi-final 1 with a time of 3:57.133, followed closely by Mattias Ekström. In Semi-final 2, Timmy Hansen took the top spot, with Petter Solberg finishing second.
The Grand Final and Championship Outcome
The final race was a tense encounter that saw Robin Larsson drive a masterful race to take first place with a time of 4:16.346. Mattias Ekström finished a close second, trailing by just 0.453 seconds, while Petter Solberg rounded out the podium in third.
While Larsson celebrated the event win, the broader focus was on the championship standings. Petter Solberg entered the weekend needing only to advance to the semi-finals to clinch the title. By doing so, he successfully secured his second consecutive FIA World Rallycross Championship title, finishing the season with a total of 301 points.
Event Summary
| Position | Driver | Team | Car |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1st | Robin Larsson | Larsson Jernberg Racing Team | Audi A1 |
| 2nd | Mattias Ekström | EKS RX | Audi S1 |
| 3rd | Petter Solberg | SDRX | Citroën DS3 |
| 4th | Jānis Baumanis | World RX Team Austria | Ford Fiesta |
Final Championship Standings
The season concluded with a competitive points spread among the top five drivers:
- Petter Solberg: 301 points
- Timmy Hansen: 275 points
- Johan Kristoffersson: 234 points
- Andreas Bakkerud: 232 points
- Davy Jeanney: 201 points
Frequently Asked Questions
Who won the 2015 World RX of Argentina?
Robin Larsson, driving for the Larsson Jernberg Racing Team in an Audi A1, won the final race of the event.
Why was the event format changed?
The event was reduced to a one-day format with only three heats because the track conditions were declared unsafe on the first scheduled day of competition.
Who won the 2015 World Rallycross Championship title?
Petter Solberg won the championship, securing his second consecutive title by advancing to the semi-finals in Argentina.
Which drivers finished on the podium in the final?
The podium consisted of Robin Larsson in first place, Mattias Ekström in second, and Petter Solberg in third.
What car did the event winner drive?
Robin Larsson won the event driving an Audi A1 for the Larsson Jernberg Racing Team.