Rallycross
Brotherly rivalry at its best: the Hansen success is a family affair
Racing at the highest level can be challenging enough without one of your main competitors being your brother. Find out how RX drivers Timmy and Kevin Hansen keep the peace and race so successfully.
But has their brotherly rivalry helped or hindered them in their careers? And what is it like to drive on a family-run team? Keep reading to find out more about the rallycross-winning duo that is the Hansen brothers.
01
Getting into motorsports
With Kenneth, a fourteen FIA European Rallycross championship title holder, and Susann, the first and only woman to win a European rallycross title, as parents it’s safe to say that Timmy and Kevin practically have racing in their blood. Growing up they had the opportunity to try out loads of different sports but always defaulted back to cars. When Timmy got involved in karting, it didn’t take long for Kevin to follow.
“I didn’t matter if it was racing cars in video games or go-karts in real life”, Kevin says, “I always wanted to do the same as Timmy and be just as good”. Being six years younger means that Kevin has been a few years behind Timmy in his career whilst growing up, but in many ways, they have always been on the same journey together.
Timmy explains: “As soon as I got back from a training camp or competition, I told Kevin everything about it and everything I’d learned. And we discussed into the smallest detail. It means that today we drive in very similar manner, and we understand each other extremely well on and off the course”. Kevin adds that, thanks to his brother’s teachings, he always felt further ahead than other drivers his age and was able to catch on quicker. “I wouldn’t be where I am today without Timmy”.
One fast family: Susann, Kevin, Timmy and Kenneth Hansen
© Joerg Mitter / Red Bull Content Pool
Learn more about the Hansens
02
Brotherly rivalry at its finest
However, brotherly rivalry is a fine line to balance and it’s one they are both very aware off. Having the same goals, to win rallycross races at the highest level, means that they are racing each other as bitter rivals one minute and the next, sharing tips and tricks in the paddock.
Maybe their ability to balance this sometimes blurry line comes from their parents always having allowed them to race one another, even as kids. Something that could be problematic for the family-dinner-dynamics, but not for the Hansen's. “They’ve got huge respect for one another out on the track, and we’ve always allowed them to race against one another to get the best out of both of them. Of course, there is a sense of rivalry between them and rightfully so! Even if they drive for the same team, they still race against each other out on track. Rally is, to some degree, an individual sport. But I’d say it only makes them stronger: it motivates them to become better whilst also sharing tips with each other”, Kenneth and Susann explain.
Kevin and Timmy Hansen sharing track secrets
© Joerg Mitter / Red Bull Content Pool
We’ve always allowed them to race against one another to get the best out of both of them.
The brothers racing at the Swedish stop of the World RX tour in Höljes
© Mihai Stetcu / Red Bull Content Pool
So far, their brotherly rivalry has been to their advantage and as they’ve grown older, they’ve figured out how to manage it even better. Timmy explains: “Of course we’ve had our fair share of fights, but we’ve realised that we both become our best when we race with, rather than against, each other. It’s super important for us to try and lift one another. It’s too easy for it to go the opposite way. That’s why we talk a lot about it, so that doesn’t happen”. Kevin laughs and agrees that being siblings means you know exactly where to push to in order for it too hurt that little bit extra. “So, we make sure that we just don’t do that. It becomes way more fun that way”.
Learn more about them in this olden but golden mini-documentary from 2019:
9 min
Why are the Hansen Brothers so good, and who's the best?
Why are the Hansen Brothers so good, and who's the best? Get to know the two brothers, Timmy and Kevin.
03
It is a family-run affair for the Hansen’s
Just like when they were young, their rivalry and admiration for one another is still very much alive today. The duo is racing at the highest level of rallycross, the World RX, and driving for the same team, the Hansen World RX Team, which is run by their parents. Hansen Motorsport is an organisation that was created already back in 1990 and has won multiple rallycross titles and championships ever since. First, with Kenneth at the helm and now with Timmy and Kevin taking over behind the wheel out on track.
Success taste all the sweeter when you do it together
© Joerg Mitter / Red Bull Content Pool
And it seems to work, mum and dad Hansen sharing management responsibilities and the two sons racing. “To have mum and dad with us and doing this whole thing together as a family is a strength for us. Working so closely together with one another, we just have this great communication and general feeling for everything we do. And all of us want, more than anything in the world, to succeed in what we do”, Kevin explains.
Susann oversees trackside operations and leads its sustainability push
© Joerg Mitter / Red Bull Content Pool
Discussing the next race strategy or who's turn it is to cook dinner?
© Joerg Mitter / Red Bull Content Pool
04
Two very successful careers
It’s safe to say that both brothers have been successful. Timmy who after becoming Swedish karting Champion in 2008 started his career in the single-seater until he made a full-time switch to rallycross in 2013. Taking his first World RX win in 2014 and grabbing the overall crown in 2019, becoming World RX Champion. That year Team Hansen MJP also won the Team Championship. Since then, an overall win has eluded him, although he got close in 2022 with a 2nd place. Today he keeps stacking up impressive wins and podium spots in the highest league of the sport.
Timmy celebrating first place in Barcelona 2022
© Joerg Mitter / Red Bull Content Pool
As for Kevin, his headstart into the world of motor racing saw him become the youngest ever FIA European Rallycross Champion at only 20 years old, which also landed him the Rookie of the Year award in 2016. In 2019 in grabbed his first World RX win and finished the season in 3rd overall. In 2021, his one win and five podium spots helped win the family-run outfit their second World RX Team Championship title. 2022 and 2023 were also successful years for the driver who peaked in 2024 becoming runner-up at the FIA World Rallycross Championships. Kevin continues to hunt that elusive overall crown in World RX.
Kevin taking an impressive win at the 2023 World RX finale in Hongkong
© Joerg Mitter / Red Bull Content Pool
The circuit in Hongkong was new and an exciting last stop of the season
© @World / Red Bull Content Pool
There is no doubt that the family run team and brotherly rivalry is working for the Hansen brothers. And as they keep fighting it out on the track and sharing family secrets in the paddock, their trajectory looks set for even more success in the future.
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