THE PEUGEOT 208 WRX READY FOR ACTION!
Added: 21 February 2017
Team Peugeot Hansen will be back in action in this year’s 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. Sébastien Loeb and Timmy Hansen have the 2017 Drivers’ and Teams’ 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 Teams’ standings, Team Peugeot Hansen will once again run two PEUGEOT 208 WRXs, for Sébastien Loeb and Timmy Hansen.
- Sébastien Loeb and Timmy Hansen will drive 2017-specification PEUGEOT 208 WRXs.
- In addition to the two cars that will be eligible for Teams’ points, Team Peugeot Hansen will run a third car for 18-year old Kevin Hansen, last year’s European Rallycross Champion. The FIA’s ‘Rookie of the Year 2016’ will contest the entire series in a 2016-specification PEUGEOT 208 WRX with a view to gaining further experience at the discipline’s top class.
Quote, unquote…
Bruno Famin, Director, Peugeot Sport
“We won the Teams’ 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 Teams’ and Drivers’ crowns. To achieve that, we know we can count on the services of two battle-hardened drivers since Sébastien Loeb, who will once again be teaming up with Timmy Hansen, now has a complete season’s experience under his belt. That said, we know 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. It’s going to be a quality season. We are continuing our association with Hansen Motorsport as Team Peugeot Hansen. Peugeot Sport is responsible for the cars’ 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.”
Kenneth Hansen, Team Principal
“The 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 won’t be able to afford to relax an instant if we want to come first. Team Peugeot Hansen’s 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.”
Sébastien Loeb (driver, PEUGEOT 208 WRX #9)
“I believe I learnt a great deal in the course of my first full rallycross season in 2016. I’ve 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 won’t be easy but I am determined to add to my record in this discipline.”
Timmy Hansen (driver, PEUGEOT 208 WRX #21)
“I can’t 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. I’m 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. We’ve got some new teams joining the championship this year and I’m 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!”
Kevin Hansen (driver, PEUGEOT 208 WRX #71)
“I’m very happy to be a full-fledged world rallycross driver at last! It’s 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 sport’s elite. I’m really excited and I can’t wait to get started in Barcelona!”
THE 2017 FIA RALLYCROSS CHAMPIONSHIP CALENDAR
