After suffering a violent crash in 2023 at Kouvola, Alex Lindeqvist spent last season limited to a program in his national championship. Returning to RallyX this year, the Swedish driver made it clear from the outset: he wasn’t coming back to make up the numbers.
And he wasted no time backing up that claim in Portugal at the end of March, clinching his maiden career victory in Race 1 before securing a second consecutive podium finish in Race 2.
With 56 points out of a possible 60 collected in Montalegre — plus one fastest lap and two qualifying heat wins — there’s no denying that Alexander Lindeqvist has established himself as one of the early season’s standout names, alongside Estonia’s Martin Juga, who also claimed two podiums in Portugal.
“Even though I was confident going into Portugal, I have to admit I surprised myself a little. I trained hard throughout the off-season because I didn’t want to wait two or three rounds to find my rhythm. The goal was to be competitive from the very first race, and I have worked really hard to make that happen and I fully intend to keep up that effort for the upcoming rounds,” explains Lindeqvist.
Ranked only 27th in the overall RallyX standings in 2023, the Swedish driver is clearly playing in a different league now — a rise in form he had already signaled earlier in 2024 by finishing third in the Swedish national championship.
Having stated during the off-season that he was returning to RallyX “to fight for the title,” Alex Lindeqvist has now proven that his goals were more than just talk.
“There was definitely some pressure on my shoulders, but the moment I stepped off the plane in Porto, I was already in the zone. From the first practice runs, I was able to find a good feeling with the car and the track. I already had my routine in mind — doing things the way I usually do them. The plan was simple: enjoy myself while channeling my energy into clean lines and strong starts. And it worked out perfectly.”
Winner of the intermediate classification in Race 1 at Montalegre, the young Swede never allowed the pressure of pole position in the final to shake his composure.
“Internally, I knew I had to stay calm, and I stuck to that mindset. That first win is always the hardest to get. Now that I’ve achieved it, I can approach the rest of the season focusing on consistency — scoring valuable points and avoiding mistakes. I want to drive smart, using my head and making the right choices.”
Reassured by his potential, Alex Lindeqvist can only note the progress he has been able to make since his crash in Kouvola in 2023.
“In 2024, my only goal was to rediscover the joy of driving, without putting pressure on myself. I won’t lie — it was a tough period. But I worked hard. Whether in the workshop or in the gym, it was a daily grind to rebuild my confidence, both mentally and physically. This Montalegre weekend was undoubtedly my best performance since I started in CrossCar, and I also believe I’ve reached a new level as a driver. I truly feel, without exaggerating, that I’ve never been this strong behind the wheel.”
That doesn’t mean the Speedcar driver is about to rest on his laurels.
“I’m really pleased with how things went in Portugal. RallyX brings together the best CrossCar drivers you’ll find in the sport, and I know every upcoming race will bring new challenges. As the season progresses, I expect the competition to become even fiercer. That’s exactly why I’m keeping my feet on the ground. My priority is to stay focused on what I have to do — and give it everything I’ve got.”
As the field prepares for the next showdown in Valkenswaard, Alex Lindeqvist already has some key strengths he can lean on.
“Before the season even started, I said that starts would be a major priority. At Montalegre I was first 9 times out of 10. The only start I missed was due to a mis-shifted gear. Other than that, I was spot on. We’re continuing to work on reaction times and test different setups, because what works on one track won’t necessarily work on another. That’s what makes this sport so demanding. Every track is different. From grip levels to track temperature to tire wear — you constantly have to adapt to new conditions.”