Krisztián Szabó will compete in select events in this year’s World Rallycross season, driving a third Hyundai i20 for Grönholm RX.
The Hungarian will line up alongside Niclas Grönholm and Timur Timerzyanov at the team and will compete at the season opener at Höljes next month, with the rest of his schedule yet to be announced.
“2020 has come with its own challenges and I am really happy that despite everything I can be a part of the FIA World RX grid for multiple events this year,” said the 28-year-old.
“Even more so – I will be driving one of the best and most advanced cars in the championship, supported by a very experienced and professional team.
“My main focus will be to have a consistent and competitive pace from race to race and to prove myself as a driver, who can challenge the main “players” of the sport.”
Szabó made his World RX debut last year driving for the EKS Audi team, taking a best result of fourth on his debut in Abu Dhabi. His only other final appearance came at Silverstone, where he finished fifth, but he did make the semi-finals in all but one round over the course of the season, missing out in Sweden.
His graduation to the main game came after he won back-to-back European Super 1600 titles in 2016 and ‘17, claiming five wins across both seasons. He moved up to European Supercars in 2018, finishing second on his maiden outing at Lohéac, France, before making a further appearance in Latvia.
“Krisztian is a very perspective and talented young driver who has worked hard and achieved a lot throughout his career,” said GRX team manager Jussi Pinomäki.
“He has vast Super1600 class experience not only on-track, but also the humble and family-like life in the paddock, and I really see him fitting right in at our team.
“We are here to help him to take his performance to the next step, and hopefully we’ll see him fighting with the top drivers in the championship.”
