- Swedish superteam cements emotional return to World RX grid
- Dynamic driver line-up behind the wheel of potent Peugeot 208 WRX
- Team’s toughest winter makes way for exciting new chapter
Team HANSEN MJP will field a brace of potent Peugeot 208 WRX Supercars for the Hansen brothers, Timmy and Kevin. The joy and excitement on their faces cannot be mistaken, as they now will contest full programmes in both World RX and GRC Europe.
This confirmation comes just over four months on from arguably Hansen Motorsport’s darkest day, when the team’s future appeared very uncertain following Peugeot Sport’s World RX withdrawal. For an organisation that many people might consider synonymous with rallycross success – with a record 14 FIA European Rallycross Championship titles to his credit, founder Kenneth Hansen is one of the most crowned drivers in the history of the discipline – these have been bleak times indeed. But finally, the team has emerged on the other side.
When Hansen Motorsport sealed a deal to enter the new GRC Europe series in December, it gave the energy boost needed to continue the daily strive to similarly secure a place in World RX. An ever-present force in the World Championship since its inception in 2014, Hansen Motorsport has clinched multiple wins and the 2015 Teams’ crown over the past five seasons. Now, the next chapter is set to begin.
Widely regarded as a champion in waiting, Timmy Hansen has concluded every season inside the top six in the World RX standings, racing to five victories and 24 podium finishes as well as the 2015 World Championship runner-up laurels. As he looks ahead to the forthcoming campaign, the 26-year-old is fired-up to fight for the biggest prize in international rallycross.
Despite his age, younger brother Kevin Hansen already has a long career in rallycross under his belt, going all the way back to 2013 and yielding titles in the RX Lites Cup and FIA European Rallycross Championship for Supercars – the latter earning him the most coveted award of all for newcomers, the FIA Rookie of the Year Award in 2016. Since then, the 20-year-old has consistently impressed on the World Championship stage as he cements his status as one of the sport’s fastest-rising stars.
The 2019 FIA World Rallycross Championship will fire into life at Abu Dhabi’s Yas Marina Circuit on 4/5 April, going on to visit Canada and some of the most iconic rallycross venues in Europe before concluding in South Africa on 9/10 November.
Quotes
Kenneth Hansen – Team Principal
“The months following Peugeot Sport’s decision to close their RX activity – which saw the Hansen family stranded without a team and programme – have been some of our toughest ever. Since then, with a commitment deeply rooted in our love for rallycross, Hansen Motorsport has used almost every single waking hour to find ways and possibilities to get a team and budget together to be able to return to World RX.”
“It was a real last-minute agreement, but we are here and ready to race with a small yet efficient team. To be able to contest not just one but two major international rallycross series this year is a dream come true. You really can’t wipe the smiles off our faces at the moment!”
“Rallycross has been a big part of our lives for as long as I can remember. After a turbulent winter for the sport, it would be wonderful for me to see both World RX and GRC Europe bloom side-by-side, bringing the best RX races the fans have seen in a long time.”
Timmy Hansen – Driver
“It feels like it’s been a long winter since our last rallycross race in South Africa in November, so it’s brilliant to confirm that we’ll be back in the World Championship. For a long time, we genuinely weren’t sure if we were going to make it or not so it’s a huge relief to know we will be there and I couldn’t be more excited right now.
“Looking at the drivers and teams confirmed so far, it’s shaping up to be a competitive season with a very level playing field. The addition of a couple of new tracks only adds to the unpredictability, but I have a fantastic team of people around me, the 208 WRX is a great car that I feel very comfortable in. We have an incredibly busy year ahead, but I can’t wait to get out to Abu Dhabi and see how we shape up!
“To everybody that has believed in Hansen Motorsport, believed in rallycross as an amazing sport and believed that together, we have more to give, we cannot thank you all enough. Now we have new goals to focus on, new challenges, new races and – hopefully – new victories to conquer.”
Kevin Hansen – Driver
“It feels amazing to return to World RX as a proper family team! We have worked so hard to make this happen, and to finally be able to say I’m a driver for Team HANSEN MJP is crazy. Wow – what a journey we’ve been on!”
“After two full seasons in World RX, I really feel that I’ve found my feet in the series and that I’m capable of taking on the very best drivers in the discipline. The next step is to begin pushing for podium finishes. That’s clearly going to be no easy task with so many quick drivers, teams and cars signed up, but it’s what I need to be aiming for and if I can achieve podiums, why not target a first win..?”
Susann Hansen – Team Manager
“We were mentally and emotionally at rock-bottom for a while, but now, finally, we are back! It’s a big relief. During the hard times, we have been overwhelmed by the support we have received from our partners, suppliers and fans, and despite what initially looked like an almost impossible task, step-by-step, we chipped away and now here we are.
“We have some amazing partners who have made this announcement possible, and we look forward to rewarding them throughout the year with strong on-track performances and a committed title challenge.”
Max J. Pucher – Owner, MJP Racing
“It was a great moment when Kenneth and I decided to do more together in 2019, as we have an almost similar vision for the future of rallycross. Kenneth worked really hard on this, and I am very glad that Team HANSEN MJP is now a part of World RX. I look forward to more rallycross than ever in 2019.”