Fresh off the podium at the Island X-Prix, Abt Cupra drivers – Mattias Ekstrom and Jutta Kleinschmidt – took their Odyssey 21 electric SUV to fourth place among nine teams in the Bovington tank range.
But, together with the sixth placed Veloce Racing, they were eliminated in the semifinals.
In wet and muddy conditions, qualifying allowed those who took to the road first to find a slightly less bumpy path, leaving the furrows of the trajectory to those who followed by removing the puddles.
Leading the way in both sessions, the Abt Cupra team finished fourth in the first, 4 “from X44. In the second session they finished sixth, after Kleinschmidt missed a signal gate, while Ekstrom was able to establish the third time trial in the ‘super’ sector.
This put the duo in a tough spot for the second semifinal, along with championship leaders Rosberg X Racing and team Acciona Sainz, with Ekstrom having to start from the outside line (the underdog having deeper ruts and mud).
The Swede was immediately overtaken by his rivals at the first corner. Despite an initial breakaway, Carlos Sainz used 400kW hyperdrive to get ahead.
Laia Sanz, Carlos Sainz, Sainz XE Team, Jutta Kleinschmidt, Mattias Ekstrom, ABT CUPRA XE
Photo by: Sam Bloxham / Motorsport Images
With all the mud sprayed on the windshield, Ekstrom still caught Sainz near the second corner, flanking him with hyperdrive, but unable to complete the move on the outside.
Ekstrom’s car lost the front of the bodywork in the “Knife Edge” jump, also due to previous contact, and began to slow down on the second lap before a long pit stop to assess the damage.
Kleinschmidt returned to complete the race, but could not reach the leading pair, settling for third place, which is worth fifth in the final championship standings.
“It has been a busy year in which we have discovered a completely new championship,” said Xavi Serra, head of Cupra Racing.
“This is why we are proud of the whole Cupra Abt XE team and, of course, of our drivers, Mattias and Jutta, who have done a great job.”
“In Sardinia we hit our first podium, and I’m sure we will get many more in 2022. This is just the beginning.”
Jutta Kleinschmidt, Mattias Ekstrom, ABT CUPRA XE
Photo by: Sam Bloxham / Motorsport Images
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