PEUGEOT 208 WRX — ready to go!

The Peugeot Hansen team will return to the current FIA World Rallycross Championship, which promises another season of fierce competition starting April 1-2 in Barcelona, Spain. Sebastian Loeb and Timmy Hansen are looking forward to the 2017 driver and team titles, while young Kevin Hansen will continue to gain experience in the World Series.

The 2015 title-winning French-Swedish team is busy preparing for its fourth season in the fast-growing FIA World Rallycross Championship.

Following the results of 2016, which secured them second place in the team standings, the Peugeot Hansen team will once again have two PEUGEOT 208 WRX cars — for Sebastian Loeb and Timmy Hansen.

Sebastian Loeb and Timmy Hansen will drive the 2017 PEUGEOT 208 WRX.

In addition to the two cars that will score points for the team, the Peugeot Hansen team will have a third car for 18-year-old Kevin Hansen, last year’s European rallycross champion. The 2016 FIA Rookie of the Year will compete in the entire series with a 2016 PEUGEOT 208 WRX configuration with the aim of gaining additional experience in the discipline’s top class.

Bruno Famin, director of Peugeot Sport

“We won the team title in 2015 and were runners-up in 2016, so this time our goal is to take a step forward by aiming for both titles – teams and drivers. To achieve this, we know we can count on two battle-hardened riders as Sebastian Loeb, who will once again partner with Timmy Hansen, now has a full season of experience. We know very well that the level of the World Rallycross Championship is constantly rising. We are pleased that Audi and Volkswagen are joining Ford and Peugeot in supporting strong teams. It will be a quality season. We continue our partnership with Hansen Motorsport as the Peugeot Hansen team. Peugeot Sport is responsible for the development of the cars, while Hansen Motorsport will pilot them in the Championship. We have strengthened the technical team, although our approach will continue to be reasonable and cost-effective. While our factory program will continue to focus on cross-country rallying, we are convinced that rallycross has a bright future ahead of it while media coverage remains cost-competitive.”

Kenneth Hansen, Team Leader

The 2017 World Rallycross Championship is taking the form of a big challenge, this time with four manufacturers. The level will definitely be higher than ever and we won’t be able to afford to relax even for a minute if we want to be first. The aim of the Peugeot Hansen team has always been to perform at its best in every round in order to take the top step of the podium. There are all the prerequisites for this, and if all the efforts that we have made since last season pay off, we believe that we will succeed. The main goal is to provide our pilots with a PEUGEOT 208 WRX with which they feel absolutely confident to perform miracles. If we manage to achieve this, we will be in the lead in both titles.”

Sebastien Loeb (pilot, PEUGEOT 208 WRX #9)

“I think I learned a lot during my first full rallycross season in 2016. Obviously I’m aiming higher this time around and I hope the 2017 version of the PEUGEOT 208 WRX will let us fight for victory. With a lot of competition that we will face, it will not be easy, but I am determined to add my record in this discipline.

Timmy Hansen (driver, PEUGEOT 208 WRX #21)

“I can’t wait for the season to start! During the winter, the engineers did a great job and the PEUGEOT 208 WRX took a big step forward. I really look forward to the competition. My goal when the real race starts will be to find a good rhythm and adapt the car to my driving style. My experience is that this is what you need to do if you want to move forward and fight for victory. There are several new teams joining the championship this year and I am happy to see that this time there will be four participations with the support of the producers. I hope that in 2017 there will be a lot of competition and you will often see us on the top step of the podium! »

Kevin Hansen (pilot, PEUGEOT 208 WRX #71)

“I am very happy to finally become a full-fledged pilot of the world rallycross! It’s been a long winter until we came here after my gold medal at the 2016 European Rallycross Championship! It’s amazing that you signed up for the World Rallycross Championship with the Peugeot Hansen team. Personally, I would like to experience in 2017 the same feeling that I experienced last year driving the PEUGEOT 208 WRX and develop it further. I will try to find a place among the sports elite. I am very excited and can’t wait to start in Barcelona!