Nils Andersson – one of the leading protagonists in the FIA RX2e Championship last year – has committed to a second full season in the FIA World Rallycross Championship support series in 2023 as reigning world champions Kristoffersson Motorsport officially enter the fray.
A rising star in the dual-surface discipline, Andersson joined RX2e for a brace of outings midway through its inaugural campaign in 2021. He then came out-of-the-blocks on fine form last season, pushing eventual champion Viktor Vranckx hard on home soil at Höljes and again in round two in Hell – coming away with the runner-up spoils on each occasion.
Rīga and Spa-Francorchamps proved to be more challenging weekends, as the Swede missed out on the final in both events, despite jointly topping the intermediate standings at the end of the first day of racing in Belgium.
Andersson bounced back with a strong third place in the Catalunya season finale to cement the same position in the overall standings – and with the support of rallycross heavyweight KMS behind him, he has even loftier ambitions over the coming months.
“The level of competition in RX2e last season was really high, with very little margin for error – and in the end, that proved to be our Achilles’ heel,” the 23-year-old reflected. “The racing is always super-tight in a single-spec series – and more so when you add an electric powertrain, which makes it extremely difficult to make big differences. Consistency is key, and it all comes down to very fine details – you have to put everything on the line if you want to win.
“I learned a lot along the way, but there are obviously still some areas for improvement and that’s my focus this year – that’s why I’m coming back for more. I hope a lot of the other top guys from last year also return to continue our battle – the more quick drivers there are, the more value it adds when you win.
“It’s great to have KMS supporting me in RX2e this season. Since I work there daily, I know everybody there pretty well – I feel very much at home inside the team. They’re such skilled, experienced people who put 100 per cent commitment into everything they do – and that’s why they’re winners.
“I’ve learned so much from Johan [Kristoffersson] and Ole Christian [Veiby], and it was really inspiring to see the great progress made by Gustav [Bergström – World RX rookie] last year. As a young driver, it really is the perfect environment in which to progress; I couldn’t be in a better place.
“I’m remaining humble because I know just how tough this series is, but the title is clearly my aim in 2023. It really hurt last year not to be in contention for the championship right the way to the end, but I’m a fighter – and I will come back stronger.”
KMS Team Principal, multiple national rallycross champion Tommy Kristoffersson, shares his young protégé’s confidence.
“We are pleased to contribute to the commitment Nils is making in RX2e,” he asserted. “We have high hopes that he can deliver a consistent title challenge through his close relationship with our World RX team and by learning lessons from the way we work.
“Nils is a very talented driver who has repeatedly showcased his potential on the track, and I know he is working hard on developing even further. He has put together an interesting package, and we are happy to be able to draw upon the benefit of our experience to support him in his career.”
The 2023 RX2e campaign will get underway in Hell, Norway, on 17-18 June.
