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• Following a promising performance in the opening round at Höljes, #Yellowsquad now faces a new challenge for Round 2 of the RX2e championship.

This weekend (27-28 July) the RX2e circus heads to Nyirád, Hungary, to take on one of rallycross’s longest and most traditional tracks on the calendar. The twisting nature of the circuit, mixed with the unsealed surface, makes it one of the most spectacular events in rallycross.

#Yellowsquad have one entrant for this event, Isak Sjökvist, who is looking to cement his championship charge after a strong haul of points in the opening round.

Sjökvists teammate in Höljes, Molly Taylor, will rejoin #Yellowsquad for the final round of the RX2e championship in Montalegre, Portugal, 07-08 September.

Eric Fären, #Yellowsquad Team Principal, said: “I’m very excited to go to Hungary, it’s a very unique track, some people call it the Monaco of rallycross because there’s no run-off area and it’s quite a hard track to learn.”

“Now we only have Isak at this round, we can focus all of our effort on him and make sure he’s learning the track as best as possible. Most of the RX2e field hasn’t been there so we must get up to speed quickly and hopefully have a good result.”

Sjökvist looked quick throughout the opening weekend in Höljes. The home favourite secured second in the overall standings after the heats and comfortably won the semi-final by over eight seconds.

Cheered on by the home crowd, Sjökvist was hoping to repeat this success in the final but contact in turn 1 would deny this and the #Yellowsquad driver would have to settle for third.

Isak Sjökvist, #Yellowsquad driver, added: “A new country and a new track is always a great challenge. I’m excited to see what the weekend has in store and I’m ready to bounce back and get my revenge after Höljes.”

“I’m still humble about the task ahead. New race weekend means it’s like a new hockey game: 0-0 and everything to play for.”

As the Nyirád countdown begins, #Yellowsquad are in full preparation mode ahead of this weekend’s racing action.

The opening round of the FIA RX2e Championship kicked off in dramatic fashion at Höljes, 6-7 July, with the #Yellowsquad crew collecting a solid haul of points despite the tricky conditions.

After a long off-season, the #Yellowsquad team kickstarted another thrilling RX2e season with a strong driver line-up in Isak Sjökvist and Molly Taylor.

Finishing runner-up in the standings last year, home favourite Sjökvist narrowly missed out on the championship title last year, but with that experience now under his belt he firmly has his sights set on taking the crown in 2024.

Partnering Sjökvist in Höljes was Molly Taylor, who returns to #Yellowsquad for two rounds of RX2e action this year. In 2023, Taylor did a partial RX2e campaign, whilst also competing alongside Kevin Hansen in Extreme E, taking on the tracks at Mettet in Belgium and the season finale at Estering in Germany.

Höljes marked a new challenge for Taylor, while Sjökvist has seen consistent third-place finishes on home soil. The pair got off to a tricky start on Saturday, however, as the team worked to adjust the set-up of the car and the drivers adapted to the track.

Sunday marked a strong comeback for the #YellowSquad team, as Sjökvist took wins in both Heat 4 and the Semi-Final, putting him on the front row for the Final. In the sister car, Taylor pulled a phenomenal overtake in her Semi-Final race to take the last spot in the Final in her first appearance at a Magic Weekend.

The #YellowSquad duo set off in hot pursuit of a podium to start the season but contact in Turn 1 would deny Sjökvist the opportunity to compete at the front of the pack. Taylor got through the opening laps trouble free, and a third-place finish looked within the Australian’s grasp, before a mistimed joker lap sealed her fate in fourth position.

Isak Sjökvist, #YellowSquad driver, said: “It was a bit of a tricky season opening in Höljes, but we still managed to secure a P2 in the overall standings after the Heats. After that I rode the momentum and took a clear win in my Semi-final with over eight seconds to the driver behind.

“I started in the second spot for the final and had a great feeling that we could have at least a drive for a podium, but I got taken out in the first corner. Gutted that we did not even get the chance to race for it in the Final, but motorsport can be brutal and I’m sure we will reset and bounce back even better to Hungary.”

Molly Taylor, #YellowSquad driver, said: “P4 in Höljes! The weather made things very interesting on Sunday. We were in a good position for third, but a mistake by me on the joker timing put us in fourth, so a lesson learned there.

“In any case, to be fighting for podium places is better than I could have expected from my first time here. After feeling a bit frustrated on Saturday, I felt like we made really good steps forward and am feeling super motivated by our progress. They call Höljes the Magic Weekend and they weren’t wrong.”

Eric Färén, #YellowSquad Team Principal, said: “We struggled a little bit at the start to find the right set up and for the drivers to get comfortable, but by the end of Saturday we started to find the right kind of speed. On Sunday the conditions changed completely with the rain but we adapted well.

“Both drivers qualified for the Final, with Isak on the front row before he was pushed out. He didn’t get a fair chance to fight for the win, but I think he would have given a good fight for win which was a good recovery from him across the weekend.

“Molly progressed well through the weekend too, and almost took a podium in her first event at Höljes. Fourth was still a strong result and it was great to see her fighting with the pack and working hard along with the rest of the team. Overall, I’d say it’s looking promising for the next races.”

The 2024 FIA RX2e series will be supporting four rounds of the FIA World Rallycross Championship. Next up on the calendar is Hungary (27-28 July), followed by Belgium (17-18 August), with the season finale in Portugal (07-08 September).

The opening round of the FIA RX2e Championship kicks off this weekend at Höljes, 6-7 July, and the #Yellowsquad crew are aiming for the top step of the podium at their home event.

After a long off-season, the #Yellowsquad team are ready to kickstart another thrilling RX2e season with a strong driver line-up confirmed for the opener.

Finishing runner-up in the standings last year, home favourite Isak Sjökvist will be hoping to mimic his opening-round heroics from last season in Hell, Norway where he took the win. The Swedish-born ace would continue this form going into the second round at Höljes, claiming a third-place finish to maintain his championship lead.

Sjökvist narrowly missed out on the championship title last year, but with that experience now under his belt he firmly has his sights set on taking the crown in 2024.

Isak Sjökvist has been eagerly anticipating the start of the 2024 RX2e season, noting: “I’m excited to finally hit the track again after a long time since the last race in the RX2e Championship. I was gutted to not be racing in France, but that did not stop me from continuing with preparations for the season opener, which now gets to be in Höljes, Sweden.

“It’s always a special feeling to race on home soil and at such an iconic track. It’s a new year and a new opportunity, so I’ll stay humble throughout every race, and always give 100 percent. I’m feeling better prepared than ever, so let’s see what the weekend brings us.”

Partnering Sjökvist in Höljes, Molly Taylor returns to #Yellowsquad for two rounds of RX2e action this year. In 2023, Taylor did a partial RX2e campaign, whilst also competing alongside Kevin Hansen in Extreme E, taking on the tracks at Mettet in Belgium and the season finale at Estering in Germany. Although Höljes will be a new challenge for Taylor to face, last year’s seat time could prove vital.

Molly Taylor, said: “I’m really excited to get back into the RX2e car, particularly at Höljes. I spectated there 10 years ago, which was my first time watching Rallycross and it blew my mind. So, it’s pretty surreal to come back and be in the driver’s seat!”

Often hailed as one of the toughest events to win on the rallycross calendar, Höljes puts extra pressure on the drivers fighting at the front. The Höljes crowd is always a standout on the RX2e calendar, especially for #Yellowsquad who always put on a show for the home fans cheering in yellow.

Eric Fären, Team Principal, added: “Isak is looking for revenge. He has never felt that Höljes is a track that fits him, but we had a test there and he’s really excited. He has a lot of podiums but never a win at Höljes, so I think that’s the main goal.

“Molly is also excited for this year now that she has more mileage after testing and feels more prepared. I think she will be quicker from the beginning now she’s used to the format and the car.

“We’re very happy to have these two drivers and the team cannot wait to start the season at our home event.”

The 2024 FIA RX2e series will be supporting four rounds of the FIA World Rallycross Championship: Sweden, Hungary (27-28 July), Belgium (17-18 August) and Portugal (07-08 September).

Shooting for the top spot in the standings at every round, #Yellowsquad will aim to utilise the home advantage to begin a strong 2024 campaign.

Swedish driver Isak Sjökvist has re-signed with #YellowSquad for the 2024 FIA European RX2e Championship. Following a nail-biting season last year, in which Sjökvist finished a close runner-up, both team and driver are committed to reaching that coveted spot at the top of the RX2e leaderboard.

This season marks three years since Sjökvist made the switch to rallycross, taking on the Supercar Lites division of RallyX Nordic in 2021. That same year marked the Swede’s RX2e debut, claiming a home podium in Höljes at his maiden event.

With three seasons of the all-electric single-specification category under his belt, the now 22-year-old has become one of the front-runners, scoring more RX2e podiums than any other driver. In his first full campaign in 2022, Sjökvist finished on the podium in four of the five rounds, claiming a maiden victory in the final round in Barcelona and securing the runner-up position in the championship standings.

2023 saw Sjökvist kickstart his first year in #YellowSquad colours with a win in Hell, Norway, making it back-to-back victories in a Zeroid X1 machine. Two more podium finishes in Höljes and Estering, Germany, placed the Swede second in the standings once more, just seven points adrift of the trophy.

Sjökvist‘s experience is reinforced by the expertise of Hansen Motorsport’s junior team and the lessons learned during their first championship battle together, putting #YellowSquad and Sjökvist in a strong position for the FIA RX2e title this season.

Hansen Motorsport’s commitment to RX2e supports its vision for a more sustainable future. The Hansen outfit enters its third season running all-electric cars in the FIA World Rallycross Championship and will be adding further #YellowSquad drivers to its electric racing roster this year.

#YellowSquad notably claimed the RX2 International Series crown in 2020, alongside wins in NRX NEXT and success in the European Rallycross Championship and RallyX Nordic in Supercar. This week sees Sjökvist taking on the opening event of the 2024 RallyX Nordic season, taking to the track for a double-header at the Tierp Arena in Sweden (10-11 May) in preparation for his RX2e campaign.

For 2024, the FIA RX2e championship kicks off its calendar in Essay, France (8-9 June) before supporting the FIA World Rallycross Championship across its four European rounds, in Sweden, Hungary, Belgium, and Portugal.

Isak Sjökvist said: “I’m super excited that I’ve signed for another year with #YellowSquad. We are making great progress and I know we have what it takes to reach our goals together.

“It’s an honour to get this opportunity once again and encouraging for me that they have the trust in me. I would also like to take a moment to thank all my partners, including the Hansen family and my own, and everyone else that is giving me this opportunity.

“We’re starting up this year’s programme by taking on the first two rounds of RallyX Nordic on home soil, which feels exciting and a great run-through until the RX2e season begins. You could call it the best possible warmup!”

Eric Färén, #YellowSquad Team Principal, said: “We’re excited to do another year with Isak. I think from the beginning last year it felt like a perfect fit. We were all working well together and having a lot of fun.

“Of course, it feels a bit like unfinished business. We have long term goals, but we want to win the RX2e championship so that is what we’ll be pushing for this year. I know Isak has been working hard over the winter and we will try to be as prepared as we can to give him all the tools that he needs to get the title.”

Following a strong 2023, we caught up with Molly Taylor during the off-season. In light of her fantastic maiden campaign in RX2e, we wanted to find out more about the Australian and what it was like working with #YellowSquad.

#YellowSquad: What made you want to get involved in the RX2e championship?

Molly Taylor: I’ve always followed rallycross, but since being involved with Extreme E I’ve been able to get to know the legends of the sport, and through Veloce and the Hansen’s I was given the opportunity to give it a go myself. I remember spectating in Höljes in about 2013 and I was completely blown away when I saw it up close. It only took 10 years from that point to finally get behind the wheel!

#YS: What was the biggest highlight of your 2023 RX2e season?

Molly: It was a real baptism of fire, so I feel like I learnt and improved so much, but only really got a small taste of what is possible. Taking the lead off the start in the wet in Mettet was cool, but I think driving the Estering track was probably the biggest buzz.

#YS: You are one of the few female drivers to have raced under the Hansen umbrella. Was that something on your mind as you were competing?

Molly: To me, as with most of the other female drivers, we are there because we want to be a driver and compete at the top. So, on one hand, I don’t think about it when it comes down to business. However, on the other hand, having someone like Susann Hansen as a mentor is incredibly special. She is such a trailblazer and knows what it takes to succeed and all the dynamics at play. I really value that. I think visibility is also important to inspire more young girls at a grassroots level.

#YS: What was it like racing for #YellowSquad with the support of Hansen Motorsport? How important was their help and advice last year?

Molly: It’s a huge asset to be part of a crew with so much experience and success. Especially when you are so new to the discipline, you are just a sponge trying to soak up everything you can. The experience, and also the attitude and positivity of the team, is not only valuable from a performance perspective, but also just great to be around. I think we sometimes underestimate how important that is.

#YS: It was not just you who raced for #YellowSquad in 2023, but also Catie Munnings. With two women driving for the team in one year, is that a sign of increasing opportunity for female talent?

Molly: I think there are definitely more opportunities coming up, largely because of Extreme E. They have shown that given the opportunity and support to develop, we can compete in equal arenas.

#YS: What did you learn from the 2023 season that you’ll be taking into 2024?

Molly: The amount I learnt from just two events was next level. So, there’s about a book of learnings I will take into 2024! But probably the biggest learnings came from the race craft side of things and experiencing more side-by-side racing.

After a dramatic season, claiming yet another runner-up spot in the RX2e championship, we caught up with #YellowSquad star Isak Sjökvist as he reflects on an amazing first year with the team.

#YellowSquad: You finished a strong second in the 2022 RX2e season. How were you feeling coming into 2023?

Isak Sjökvist: After a strong end to the 2022 season with my win in Barcelona, it felt like a dream come true even to get the question from the Hansen family if I had the interest to join their junior team – aka #Yellowsquad.

I honestly felt that I was floating on the clouds as it was a huge milestone reached in my career. Even if the decision came at a late time because of several circumstances, it was a chance I could not miss. I saw this opportunity in the right direction, and I was eager to put down all the hard work and tried the best I could, together with this super team!

#YS: You had a perfect start to the campaign with that win in Norway. Talk us through that weekend.

Isak: Hell, Norway, was some extraordinary stuff. You know, drivers sometimes describe that feeling of being right in the zone and I was just that throughout the whole weekend. I felt untouchable to be honest. Then to win the first race of the season was absolutely the icing on the cake.

#YS: After a difficult Qualifying in Höljes, you managed to get on the podium once again with third place. How much did mental strength come into play for you this season?

Isak: I think I have ever felt as exhausted mentally after race weekends as I did this year, especially after Rounds 3 and 4. I was surprised by how much power I had whenever I needed to push my mental boundaries. I would say that mental strength always plays a big role in our sport, but this season really tested me in many different ways.

#YS: Lydden Hill and Mettet didn’t reflect the form you were in this year, but you pushed hard to stay in the championship fight. How was the support from the #YellowSquad team during those tougher weekends, and the whole season?

Isak: Without this incredible team and its members, this year’s result would just have been a dream. What we achieved this year just shows how talented and capable this group of people is. They sacrificed all they could and really showed that everything is possible, you just need to believe it!

#YS: You had the opportunity to work with both Catie Munnings and Molly Taylor this year. How was it having them in the team and were you able to help each other to progress?

Isak: It was a pleasure to be working together with these two incredible great drivers and I believe that we helped each other to push our own boundaries in every possible way. I think we shared our experiences in the best way and gave ourselves new tools to work with to increase our driving skills. I would really like to have them both in the team again as they both brought something special and were one of the best teammates I’ve had.

#YS: You went out swinging with another third-place finish in the final round at Estering, having out-qualified your closest rivals. What was going through your head in that Final?

Isak: The Final at Estering is a bit of a blur to be honest. The first start felt horrible, so it was a bit of a relief to get the restart, even if one driver missed out on the Final.

The second start felt much better and when I saw my chance to overtake [Tommi] Hallman in the first corner everything went in slow motion. It was much more slippery than in the Semi-Finals and that made the move not the most efficient one I’ve made. Then, the rest of the Final was like a hard workout where you push yourself to the red zone limit. Devastated was just the beginning of the emotions I felt after the Final.

#YS: What have you learnt from the 2023 season that you’ll be taking into 2024?

Isak: Now a time afterwards, I feel that I actually did everything I could in Estering and I’m pleased to feel that it was “here” were I become a real rallycross driver. For sure, second place is the first loser, but I see this as the best result possible when you look at the bigger picture. This season had its ups and lows for sure, but I’ve reconciled with that and I’m excited to do everything I can for an ever better result in the future.

Swedish talent Isak Sjökvist and the #YellowSquad team entered the FIA RX2e series finale at the legendary Estering in a three-way fight for the all-electric FIA World Rallycross Championship support category title, and with a brilliant performance came within meters of claiming the crown.

Third in the series standings entering the event at the Buxtehude circuit, Sjökvist delivered a strong performance throughout the weekend, consistently inside the top three positions in the heats despite never even having tested at Estering, to qualify second in the Ranking classification after four heats, crucially ahead of the championship leader.

Victory in the semi-finals ahead of two World RX regulars set Sjökvist up for a title show-down in the final, but having made a good start, a brave outside manoeuvre in the infamous first corner didn’t pay off and Sjökvist ran third throughout the race. Matching the pace of the leading pair from start to finish, Sjökvist just missed out on the championship title, but took home the silver medal.

In the sister #YellowSquad machine, Australian rally and Extreme E star Molly Taylor returned to RX2e for a second event in a row supported by E.ON and Veloce, and once again improved with every outing on track. However, contact from other cars meant she was forced into the wall in Heat 3, putting her out of the race altogether, and again in the semi-finals, where she was removed from contention for qualifying for the final and her results didn’t reflect her performance.

Sjökvist said: “I am quite devastated to lose the championship but we are all fighting to become the best drivers we can and I tried to pull out everything I had this weekend and enjoy every second. It felt great throughout the whole weekend, the competitiveness is so, so high in RX2e, and it’s always the small margins that make a big difference.

“In the semi-final I actually drove away from Niclas Grönholm (World RX driver) and tried to get the best spot possible for the final, but Tommi Hallman did a great job on the inside of the grid in the final. I tried going around the outside but it didn’t come off. Nils (Andersson) deserves the championship. It’s been a pleasure to race him this year but I’m hungry for more and they’d better be prepared because I’m coming back to get them.”

Taylor said: “It’s been both a really positive and also a frustrating weekend. Overall we’ve made great progress in terms of pace, so I’m really happy to have been able to fight on that side. In terms of the races, today has been a bit of carnage, being turned into the wall twice, so its frustrating to miss some track time and not be able to convert the speed I know we have. But this programme has been all about learning and I can safely say I’ve done a lot of that!

“I’m really grateful to E.ON, Veloce, #YellowSquad, Kevin (Hansen) and Isak for making this possible. Rallycross is such a different world, so it’s been cool to get an insight into what it’s all about and I hope this is just the beginning of my time here.”

Färén added: “We came here with a single goal for Isak and he drove very well. Unfortunately it only just wasn’t enough to take the championship title. Of course, we are disappointed not to win, but we can be proud of our performance this weekend. We did what we could and we drove a fair race.

“Thanks to a positive test in Sweden between Belgium and Germany, our drivers came here with a positive mindset and really had good performances here.

“Molly is improving all the time in this new environment, and Isak was a different driver to Belgium. He should be proud of his weekend. I hope we can continue to work with both Molly and Isak in the future.”

Swedish ace Isak Sjökvist remains in contention for the FIA RX2e Championship title following an extremely challenging penultimate round of the series at Mettet in Belgium.

International rallycross returned to the Wallonia-based venue for the first time since 2018 last weekend, where drivers from the FIA World Rallycross Championship who were unable to compete in the top category also made guest appearances in the RX2e division.

RX2e title-contender Sjökvist, from Sweden, and latest #YellowSquad signing Molly Taylor, from Australia, faced some of the most challenging track conditions witnessed in any World RX event in years, with the wet weather, loose-surface sections, and large kerbs providing the biggest challenges.

Working hard as a team to progress every time on track, both drivers increased their pace and performances throughout the weekend and challenged for the lead of Qualifying races on track, but unfortunately mitigating circumstances meant neither driver made it through the Semi-Final stages into the Final.

Sjökvist now lies third in the championship standings, just five points off the lead with one round remaining and 23 points up for grabs. #YellowSquad is now fully focused on the final round at Estering, Germany, next weekend (August 19-20).

Isak Sjökvist said: “The result was not what I expected from the weekend. I’m feeling a bit empty right now as I didn’t get the result I was aiming for, but I am only five points behind the lead in the championship and there is still a load of points to gain.

“I will work really hard in the days between now and the next race in Germany to be more prepared than ever to do the best I can. I just need to drive with passion and focus on what we need to do. Nevertheless it was an amazing experience to drive against the World RX drivers this weekend and to see what is possible with these cars. There are always positives you can take from a race. I learnt from the World RX drivers this weekend and that will help me for the upcoming challenge at the final round in Germany. We just need to go flat out.”

Molly Taylor said: “The track at Mettet has such mixed surfaces so there was a lot for me to manage while figuring out the driving style and the head-to-head racing involved in rallycross. I feel I was progressing in every session which is all I can really ask for in my first rallycross experience.

“The overall result represents mixed fortunes but I enjoyed leading some laps and learning how to make the most of the action around me. I have come away with heaps of experience. I’m part of a great team, benefitting from the guidance of fantastic drivers and engineers, and I’m really grateful to E.ON, #YellowSquad and Veloce for this opportunity.”

Eric Färén said: “It wasn’t the easiest weekend for us. Isak spent a lot of time battling in traffic and it wasn’t easy for him to find the pace he needed, but he made some big steps forward on Sunday, and I think he learned a lot.

“It was brilliant to have Molly in the team for the first time. She made progress every time she went on track in a really difficult weekend for even the most experienced drivers because of the conditions. We are now fully focused on the final round with both drivers, where we are targeting nothing but finishing the season on a high.”

Former Extreme E Champion and Australian Rally title-winner Molly Taylor has signed with #YellowSquad to compete in the remaining rounds of the FIA RX2e series in Belgium and Germany.

Taylor claimed the Australian Rally Championship title in 2016, making history as not only the first female to claim the crown, but then as the youngest ever champion. She later claimed the inaugural Extreme E Championship title in 2021. Today, she is team-mate to #YellowSquad founder Kevin Hansen in the Veloce Racing Extreme E outfit.

Together, Hansen and Taylor have claimed a pair of victories so far in Season 3 of Extreme E, at the season-opening Desert X Prix (Saudi Arabia) and the Hydro X Prix (Scotland), and are in the thick of the title fight.

Taylor joins #YellowSquad for her rallycross debut this weekend at Mettet in Belgium (August 5-6), supported by Veloce and E.ON. Competing in a field stacked full of talented drivers racing the single-specification RX2e machine, Taylor’s car is adorned with a striking new livery, as she lines up alongside title-contender Isak Sjökvist in the team.

She will also compete in the final round of the campaign at Estering, Germany (August 19-20).

Molly Taylor said: “I’m really excited to join RX2e for these two events. It’s an incredible opportunity and I’m very grateful to E.ON and Veloce for making this possible.

“Rallycross is something completely new to me, so I’m looking forward to taking on this challenge, learning and developing as quickly as possible. Running with #YellowSquad I know I have the right people around me and I can’t wait to get started.”

Eric Färén said: “Molly is a talented driver who has many times proved her credentials in rallying and more recently Extreme E, so it will be really interesting for us to work with her as she transitions into a different discipline.

“The Belgian and German circuits are both quite different in characteristics so it will certainly help with her learning in rallycross and RX2e, which as we know is a very competitive field. Hardly any of the RX2e drivers have good experience of racing at either circuit, so that should hopefully play to our advantage and we will work hard to help Molly get up to speed as fast as possible.”