Fast Talk: Timmy Hansen

Just like dad, the young Swede is heading for megastar status in European Rallycross.
Written by Carl McKellar
3 min readPublished on
Timmy Hansen concentrates on the race ahead

Timmy Hansen concentrates on the race ahead

© Tom Banks

Rallycross young gun Timmy Hansen has got it – the looks, the talent, the results and, quite possibly, the air of a driver with an exceptional talent.
It’d be easy for some to say he’s walked straight into a top drive in European Rallycross just because his father and 14-time champion Kenneth runs the family team (the crack Hansen Motorsport squad) but don’t let that fact detract from his ability, maturity and downright speed.
In front of his home crowd at Holjes he almost won for the second time in 2013 as he moved to within just four points of reigning champ, team-mate and Red Bull athlete Timur Timerzyanov at the top of the table.
Timmy's & Petter Solberg's Citroens collide

Timmy's & Petter Solberg's Citroens collide

© Tom Banks

So who is he? “I won the Swedish karting title and was the top privateer in the world championship. Then I won races in Swedish and European Formula BMW and then Formula Renault Eurocup, but the budget was always tight. I’ve probably had to work harder than most drivers to compensate for that and make things happen.”
Are the other drivers jealous of you being able to go straight into a top Supercar? “Could be. I’d probably be envious. But just because my father has been successful doesn’t mean I get that for free. Everything I’ve learnt behind the steering wheel I’ve learnt myself and done it my own way. Of course he helps but it’s two different approaches. I’ve still had to work very hard to get into this position and it’s not been easy.”
Hansen name is big in Euro Rallycross

Hansen name is big in Euro Rallycross

© Tom Banks

Isn’t there pressure to live up to your father’s reputation? “I haven’t had to start my own team or build my own car like he did in his day. It’s amazing what he did, but the way a driver has to be has changed very much. All I’ve got to be is a great driver behind the steering wheel and do that perfectly. I think drivers today are better at that one point, but probably couldn’t manage also being a team owner and designer and engineer at the same time. The sport has evolved very quickly.”
Your approach seems to be paying off… “If you’re thinking about the championship, sure you need to be very quick in the heats but also still be mechanically sympathetic with the car. Some drivers take it to the limit and beyond from the heats and can be really fast to begin with but then it goes wrong mechanically. At the moment I’m second in championship and that is down to strategy.”
Will Hansen be jumping for joy come season's end?

Will Hansen be jumping for joy come season's end?

© Tom Banks

What’s it like rushing off the start-line four or five abreast, rubbing panels with your rivals? “It certainly shows who is the most committed! You’ve got to be a little bit crazy to come out in front if there are five cars in a row. At Holjes we were four side-by-side and all bounced of one another in the first corner. If it was a formula car I’d have backed out far earlier.”
How about any emerging rivalries? “Not yet but I am learning who I can trust more than others. I don’t have a nemesis. That will probably come. All I know is that the moment I first tried a rallycross car last year I loved it – I’m doing now all the things I watched as a kid in the grandstand and it’s working out well above my expectations.”