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Rallycross: Jacques Villeneuve scores first heat win in Norway

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Khatir Soltani
From press release

Albatec Racing’s Jacques Villeneuve scored his first heat victory, and secured the fastest lap overall in heat one, on only his second FIA World Rallycross Championship outing in Norway.

After making his World RX debut in Portugal in April, the former F1 World Champion was forced to miss round two at Lydden Hill due to a clash with the Indy 500, and so spent two days testing at Holjës, Sweden this week in preparation for the first of the three Scandinavian World RX rounds.

Although the French-Canadian crashed late on the second day of testing causing extensive damaging his two litre, 16v Peugeot 208, the development work done by the team and its technical partners, Oreca, Sadev and Evo to both Jacques’ car and the sister 208 of Team Principal Andy Scott allowed the Dumfries-based team to immediately show its potential of challenging for outright victory.

Jacques Villeneuve, Albatec Racing Peugeot 208 World RX
Jacques Villeneuve, Albatec Racing Peugeot 208 (Photo: FIA World RX Championship)

At the wheel of Andy’s #26 600bhp Supercar Jacques was immediately on the pace at the Lånkeban track in this morning’s open practice, setting a competitive lap time on only his first run, and first ever visit to the Norwegian track.

Starting on pole position for his opening heat, he beat local hero former World Rally Champion Petter Solberg into the first corner and timed his joker lap to perfection, holding off pressure from the round one victor to claim the win and post the ninth fastest time.

After a 4th place finish in the second race of the day, Villeneuve lay 12th in the overnight standings. On Sunday, he added a 3rd and a 4th place finishes, which wasn't enough to qualify him for the semi-finals.


Khatir Soltani
Khatir Soltani
Automotive expert
As a car enthusiast, he tests and compares vehicles from different categories through the eyes of the consumer, ensuring relevant and objective reviews.
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