Season Opener Delivers Thrills, Drama and Standout Performances at Gelleråsen Arena

The 2025 Radical Cup Scandinavia season roared into life at Gelleråsen Arena with a weekend packed full of drama, pace, and tight racing. Across three competitive races, the opening round showcased both new talent and proven frontrunners, setting the stage for what promises to be yet another unforgettable season.

Schou Shines on Debut

The tone was set early in qualifying, where series newcomer Sebastian Schou immediately made his mark. Driving for STEP Motorsport, the Danish talent stunned the paddock with an impressive debut, securing pole position with a 1:03.664 – just 0.007 seconds ahead of veteran Stevan Petrovic. Although Johan Leander originally posted the fastest time, he was later disqualified due to a technical infringement, handing Schou his first career pole in the Radical Cup Scandinavia.

Schou would go on to back up his performance in qualifying with remarkable consistency, finishing second in all three races over the weekend. His poise under pressure and relentless pace marked him out as a serious title contender moving forward.

Petrovic Strikes Twice

Stevan Petrovic returned to familiar form, converting two front-row starts into commanding victories in Race 1 and Race 2. The RCR Sweden driver showed precision and control under race conditions, keeping Schou at bay through sustained pressure in both contests. Despite missing out on pole in the opening session, Petrovic reclaimed the top qualifying spot ahead of Race 2 and leads the championship after a near-perfect opening weekend.

Leander Bounces Back

After the disappointment of his qualifying disqualification, Johan Leander responded with a determined drive in Race 3. Making full use of the pace shown earlier in the weekend, Leander climbed back to the front and took a well-deserved victory. His win capped a strong recovery for RCR Sweden after his disqualification and served as a clear signal of intent for the rounds to come from the reigning champion.

Midfield Battles Provide Entertainment

Beyond the podium fights, the midfield delivered some of the most intense and entertaining racing of the weekend. Erik Stillman, who claimed his first podium of the year with a defensive masterclass in Race 1, Ludvig Bäck, Erlend Olsen, Rasmus Hedberg, and Morten Strömsted were locked in close battles throughout all three races. Hedberg’s efforts were rewarded with a third-place finish in Race 2, adding another trophy to his growing collection.

Bäck showed strong pace but was caught in traffic on several occasions. Strømsted displayed maturity and control, staying within striking distance of the front-running pack and laying a solid foundation for the season ahead.

Setback for Varverud

It was a tough weekend for newcomer Daniel Varverud, who suffered a technical issue that sidelined him from full contention. Despite the setback, the RCR Sweden driver remains optimistic and is focused on bouncing back stronger at Ljungbyhed, where the series heads next.

Looking Ahead

With the opening round complete, the championship standings are already beginning to take shape. Petrovic leads the title charge, but with drivers like Schou, Leander, and Hedberg all within reach after round one. Round two takes place at Ljungbyhed Motorbana, the home of Radical Sweden and a compact paddock atmosphere are sure to produce more drama, more action, and more standout performances from our drivers.