Deng makes history as Bénézet seals inaugural RX4 crown

Andrea Bénézet made history in Lousada by becoming the first ever FIA Euro RX4 Champion, as Haotian Deng claimed a landmark maiden victory in a dramatic season finale.

Bénézet entered Sunday with an eight-point advantage over Filip Melon after his title rival’s victory in Saturday evening’s first European Rallycross night race had ensured the championship battle would go down to the final day.

With Melon needing to overturn the deficit, every position proved crucial throughout a finale in which Roberts Gabrāns and Deng again demonstrated the strong pace that had carried both drivers onto Saturday’s podium.

Gabrāns made the strongest start to Sunday, taking control of the opening Q1 heat while Melon struggled with an apparent misfire and fell to the back of the field. Gabrāns won ahead of Deng and Melon to establish an early advantage.

In the second heat, Albert Kokk launched well and led into Turn One, but Bénézet remained close behind and quickly found a way past. The championship leader controlled the remainder of the race to take the heat victory ahead of Kokk, Ferreira and Rusek.

Gabrāns completed Q1 at the top of the intermediate classification, with Bénézet second and Deng third. Kokk occupied fourth, while Melon’s difficult opening race left him seventh overall and immediately placed his title challenge under pressure.

Deng continued to build momentum as the day progressed. After securing third place in Saturday’s final, the Chinese driver won the opening Q3 heat ahead of Rusek and Ferreira.

Bénézet and Melon both reacted well at the start of the second heat, but the championship leader committed to the inside line as the pair continued their season-long fight for supremacy.

With the RX4 field progressing directly to the final, Bénézet lined up knowing precisely what was required. If Melon won the race, the Frenchman would need to finish second to guarantee the championship.

The two title protagonists launched side-by-side, but it was Bénézet who made the stronger start and initially moved ahead. Melon held second, while Deng immediately joined the fight at the front.

Deng soon produced the decisive move. Carrying outstanding speed around the outside, he swept past Bénézet to take the lead and began to pull clear of the chasing pack.

At the end of the opening lap, Deng led Bénézet, Kokk, Melon, Gabrāns and Rusek, leaving the championship equation delicately poised.

Gabrāns had already completed his Joker Lap and closed rapidly onto the rear of Melon by lap four. The pressure prevented Melon from building the margin he required to take his own Joker and retain his position.

Bénézet emerged from his Joker Lap alongside Gabrāns but held the place, keeping himself in position to secure the championship as Deng continued to stretch his advantage at the front.

Deng remained faultless to the chequered flag, becoming the first Chinese driver to win a race in an FIA Rallycross Championship.

Kokk claimed second place, while Bénézet crossed the line in third to confirm himself as the first RX4 European Champion. Gabrāns finished fourth ahead of Melon and Rusek.

Introduced for 2026 as a new grassroots category based upon Rally4 machinery, RX4 delivered a compelling title contest throughout its inaugural campaign. After six rounds, it was Bénézet who ultimately emerged on top, completing a breakthrough first season for the championship in Portugal.