Team Peugeot-Hansen has confirmed that Frenchman Davy Jeanney will join Sweden’s Timmy Hansen in the 2015 FIA World Rallycross Championship presented by Monster Energy. Both drivers will compete in the team’s latest-spec Peugeot 208 WRX Supercar.
Both cars will be run once again by the outfit belonging to multiple European Rallycross Champion, Kenneth Hansen. Last year Team Peugeot-Hansen racked up five podium finishes including a victory at the Italian RX round. Several improvements have also been made to the car from the chassis to the engine.
Bruno Famin, Director for Peugeot Sport, explained: “Last year’s car was derived directly from the 208 T16. This time, we used the winter break to take it a little closer to the limits authorised by the regulations and we believe the result is a significant step forward in terms of performance. The aim is to win individual races and also be in contention for the Teams’ and Drivers’ titles. Other teams no doubt have the same objective and we are delighted that other manufacturers are stepping up their involvement in this fast-growing championship. The addition of new events like Barcelona and Hockenheim, places near big cities where motorsport has real ties and which boast great infrastructure, is a very promising move.”
Team Peugeot-Hansen’s Team Principle, Kenneth Hansen, added: “I feel we are more prepared than we were at this time last year. In 2014, everything came together quite late and it was a feat in itself that we were up and running for the opening round. Even so, we succeeded in becoming a competitive threat during the second half of the series. This time round, we have the benefit of that experience and we are very much looking forward to the first race!”
Timmy Hansen went on to say that the new Peugeot 208 WRX is “surely the best car I have ever had in my career.” The Swede added: I think we have a car that has the potential to win out of the box. On a personal level, I have worked even harder to prepare for the coming season. I am happy to have a new team-mate. I have known Davy since my rallycross debut. He is fast and very consistent. He knows when to push and when to lift, so he will be tough to beat.”
New team-mate Davy Jeanney concluded: “This is my first contract with a factory team, so it’s a significant turning point in my career. It’s a new challenge and I couldn’t be more committed to the programme. The cards are stacked up nicely and it will be up to me to make the most of them. I was really surprised when I sat behind the wheel of the 208 WRX for the very first time. Its engine feels really powerful and my aim is to up my pace as the season progresses and hopefully end up fighting for some podium finishes and even victory.”
Buoyed by the success of the discipline’s inaugural World Championship, Peugeot and Red Bull have decided to form the Peugeot Red Bull Hansen Junior Team. As one of the team’s drivers, 16-year old Kevin Hansen will take part in all the rounds that count towards this season’s RX Lites series.
The opening round of the 2015 FIA World Rallycross Championship will take place in Portugal later this month (24-26 April).