Marklund Motorsport and Volkswagen Team Sweden will join forces for the 2016 season of the FIA World Rallycross Championship to form Volkswagen RX Sweden Team with Johan Kristoffersson and Anton Marklund confirmed as drivers.

The announcement was made this morning at a press conference in Stockholm and brings together the Marklund Motorsport who finished second in the drivers’ and teams’ championship in 2014 and the Volkswagen Team Sweden who took third this year in the overall driver standings.

“Volkswagen Motorsport is positive about the merger that came about as a result of the team’s initiative.” said Jost Capito, Executive Director of Volkswagen Motorsport.

“A collaboration between Marklund Motorsport and Volkswagen Team Sweden will strengthen Volkswagen’s position in one of the fastest growing areas of motorsport. Combining our capabilities will create good possibilities for further success in the sport.”

Head of Volkswagen Sweden Sten Forsberg explained the merger, “The competitive situation in World RX calls for creative solutions to achieve success for both Marklund Motorsport and Volkswagen Team Sweden, which we as collaborative partners strive for.

“With our joint effort, we are convinced that the team with Johan Kristoffersson and Anton Marklund as drivers will be able to keep up with the pack and be fighting for the championship,”

Jan Marklund explained that he and Tommy Kristoffersson had spoken about a possible merger in the past but ‘never got around to it’ before unveiling develop plans.

“We will have a separate test unit with a racing car, staff and trailer that will manage our development activities. The competition in World RX is becoming increasingly tough and to be in with a chance of winning the championship, we need to constantly improve and optimise the equipment.” said Marklund.

Tommy Kristoffersson added: “Pooling our resources enables us to provide the stable platform of infrastructure and competence that is required for professional, long-term involvement. The merger gives us good sporting chances, and on a personal note, I am really looking forward to working with our drivers, engineers and mechanics and collaborating to form and develop the team. Ambition, passion and teamwork are the keywords.”

The new team will see Kristoffersson Snr as the General Manager with Michael Schneider coming in as Team Manager, a position he held in the Marklund team.

With two premises hundreds of miles apart, the cars will be built at Marklund Motorsport’s base in Boliden, before relocating to the Volkswagen Team Sweden base in Arvika.