Team Peugeot Hansen will be back in action in this yearâs FIA World Rallycross Championship which promises to deliver yet another fiercely fought season, with the calendar due to kick off in Barcelona, Spain, on April 1-2. SĂ©bastien Loeb and Timmy Hansen have the 2017 Driversâ and Teamsâ crowns in their sights, while young Kevin Hansen will continue his apprenticeship of the world series.
The Franco-Swedish 2015 title-winning squad is busy preparing for its fourth campaign in the rapidly-developing FIA World Rallycross Championship.
- Building on its performance in 2016, when it secured runner-up honours in the Teamsâ standings, Team Peugeot Hansen will once again run two PEUGEOT 208 WRXs, for SĂ©bastien Loeb and Timmy Hansen.
- SĂ©bastien Loeb and Timmy Hansen will drive 2017-specification PEUGEOT 208 WRXs.
- In addition to the two cars that will be eligible for Teamsâ points, Team Peugeot Hansen will run a third car for 18-year old Kevin Hansen, last yearâs European Rallycross Champion. The FIAâs âRookie of the Year 2016â will contest the entire series in a 2016-specification PEUGEOT 208 WRX with a view to gaining further experience at the disciplineâs top class.
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Bruno Famin, Director, Peugeot Sport
âWe won the Teamsâ title in 2015 and were runners-up in 2016, so the aim is to take things a step further this time by targeting both the Teamsâ and Driversâ crowns. To achieve that, we know we can count on the services of two battle-hardened drivers since SĂ©bastien Loeb, who will once again be teaming up with Timmy Hansen, now has a complete seasonâs experience under his belt. That said, we know very that the level of the World Rallycross Championship is improving all the time.
We are pleased to see that Audi and Volkswagen have joined Ford and Peugeot by backing strong teams. Itâs going to be a quality season. We are continuing our association with Hansen Motorsport as Team Peugeot Hansen. Peugeot Sport is responsible for the carsâ development, while Hansen Motorsport will run them in the championship. We have strengthened our technical squad although our approach will continue to be reasonable and cost-conscious. Although our factory programme will still focus on cross-country rallying, we are convinced that rallycross has a bright future ahead of it, so long as the media coverage continues to remain competitive for the costs involved.â
Kenneth Hansen, Team Principal
âThe 2017 World Rallycross Championship is shaping up to be a big challenge, with four manufacturers involved this time round. The level is clearly going to be higher than ever, so we wonât be able to afford to relax an instant if we want to come first. Team Peugeot Hansenâs target has always been to perform to the best of its ability at every round in order to finish on the top step of the podium.
All the ingredients are in place to achieve just that and, if all the work we have put in since last season pays off, we believe we can do the job. The principal goal will be to provide our drivers with a PEUGEOT 208 WRX in which they feel fully confident so that they can do their magic. If we manage to do that, we will be in the thick of the fight for both titles.â
SĂ©bastien Loeb (driver, PEUGEOT 208 WRX #9)
âI believe I learnt a great deal in the course of my first full rallycross season in 2016. Iâve obviously set my sights higher this time round and I hope the 2017 version of the PEUGEOT 208 WRX will enable us to challenge for victory. Given the stiffer competition we face, it wonât be easy but I am determined to add to my record in this discipline.â
Timmy Hansen (driver, PEUGEOT 208 WRX #21)
âI canât wait for the season to start! The engineers did a great job over the winter and the PEUGEOT 208 WRX has taken a big step forward. Iâm really looking forward to driving it competitively. My aim when action begins in earnest will be to find a good rhythm and adapt the car to my driving style. In my experience, that is what you need to do if you want to be up there fighting for victory.
Weâve got some new teams joining the championship this year and Iâm glad to see that there will now be four manufacturer-backed entries. I hope there will be plenty of great racing in 2017 and that you will often see us on the top step of the podium!â
Kevin Hansen (driver, PEUGEOT 208 WRX #71)
âIâm very happy to be a full-fledged world rallycross driver at last! Itâs been a long winter getting to this point after my EuroRX gold in 2016! It feels amazing to have signed for a WorldRX campaign with Team Peugeot Hansen. Personally, for 2017, I would like to find the feeling I had last year behind the wheel of the PEUGEOT 208 WRX and then build on that. I will do my very best and try to eke out a place amongst the sportâs elite. Iâm really excited and I canât wait to get started in Barcelona!â
