Timmy Hansen
Timmy Hansen (born 21 May 1992) is a Swedish professional rallycross driver best known for winning the 2019 FIA World Rallycross Championship.[1][2][3] Born in Lidköping, Sweden, Hansen comes from a prominent rallycross family; he is the eldest son of Kenneth Hansen, a 14-time FIA European Rallycross Champion, and Susann Hansen, the first woman to win a European Rallycross title.[2][4][5] His younger brother, Kevin Hansen, is also a rallycross champion and the two compete together for the Hansen World RX Team.[4] Hansen began his motorsport career in karting, winning the Swedish Karting Championship in 2008, before progressing to single-seater racing in Formula BMW and Formula Renault 2.0.[4][3] He transitioned to rallycross full-time in 2011, making his international debut in the FIA European Rallycross Championship in 2012 and entering the FIA World Rallycross Championship (World RX) in 2014 with a Peugeot 208 WRX, where he secured his first World RX victory that year in Italy.[2][4] Throughout his World RX career, Hansen has amassed multiple wins, including three in 2015 (Norway, France, and Turkey), one in 2016 (Canada), one in 2020 (Barcelona), one in 2022 (Catalunya), and one in 2024 (Belgium).[2] In 2019, driving for Team Hansen MJP, he clinched the drivers' title with four victories and helped his team win the teams' championship.[2][4] He has finished as high as second overall in 2022 and fourth in 2014 and third in 2024, and is one of the few drivers to have competed in every World RX event since the series' inception.[2][6] Beyond rallycross, Hansen has expanded into electric racing, joining Extreme E in 2021 with Andretti United Extreme E—where he and Catie Munnings won the Arctic X Prix in Greenland—and continuing with Andretti Altawkilat Extreme E.[3][7] In 2025, he also took on the role of team principal for Hansen Motorsport in the inaugural FIA Extreme H World Cup.[8] Known for his rigorous training and family-driven determination, Hansen continues to compete at the highest levels of off-road motorsport as of 2025.[1][4]Background
Early life and family
Timmy Hansen was born on May 21, 1992, in Lidköping, Sweden.[9] He grew up in a family deeply immersed in motorsport, particularly rallycross, with his father, Kenneth Hansen, being a 14-time FIA European Rallycross Champion.[8] His mother, Susann Hansen (née Bergvall), achieved success as the winner of the 1994 ERA European Cup in the Super 1400 class, marking her as the first woman to claim a European rallycross title.[10] Timmy's younger brother, Kevin Hansen, has also pursued a professional career in rallycross, continuing the family's legacy in the sport.[4] The Hansen family's extensive involvement in rallycross profoundly shaped Timmy's early years, providing him with constant exposure to high-level competition from a young age. Living amidst his parents' racing endeavors and team operations, he was immersed in the world of motorsport events, workshops, and strategies, fostering an innate passion for racing.[4] This familial environment naturally led him to begin competing in karting as his initial foray into the sport.[9]Entry into motorsport
Timmy Hansen began his competitive motorsport journey in karting during his early teenage years, honing his skills in national events in Sweden. Growing up in a family steeped in rallycross traditions—his father, Kenneth Hansen, secured 14 European Rallycross Championship titles—instilled a strong drive for racing excellence. Hansen's early karting endeavors built steadily toward prominence, with consistent performances in junior categories that showcased his talent and adaptability on track.[4][11] His breakthrough came in 2008 when, at age 16, he clinched the Swedish Karting Championship title in the KF2 junior category, dominating the season with superior speed and consistency. This national victory not only solidified his reputation within Sweden's motorsport community but also drew international scouts, highlighting his potential for higher levels of competition.[12][4] Emboldened by this success, Hansen opted to advance to single-seater circuit racing in 2009, marking a deliberate shift from karting's close-quarters battles to open-wheel machinery. He debuted in the Formula BMW Europe series, joining the Mücke Motorsport team for a full season across European circuits, where he competed against emerging talents and gained invaluable experience in professional racing environments.[12][11]Circuit racing career
Formula Renault 2.0 Alps Series
Timmy Hansen made his debut in single-seater circuit racing with Formula BMW Europe in 2009 and 2010, building on his 2008 Swedish Karting Championship title, before transitioning to the Formula Renault 2.0 Alps Series in 2011 with the Interwetten.com Junior Team.[11][12] In his introductory season to the series, Hansen participated in four events, demonstrating quick adaptation. His debut came at the Red Bull Ring round in Austria, where he qualified 4th, finished 4th in Race 1, and won Race 2.[13] Hansen achieved two podiums overall, including a second-place finish in Race 2 at Spa-Francorchamps, while competing in a Tatuus FR2.0-10 chassis powered by a Renault engine. At Spa, he also secured pole position for both races, set the fastest lap in Race 1 (finishing 16th), and finished 2nd in Race 2.[14][15] These results yielded 88 points, placing him 16th in the drivers' championship behind winner Javier Tarancón.[16] Teammate Gustavo Menezes provided strong intra-team competition, finishing higher in the standings with consistent points finishes across more races. Hansen's selective schedule reflected budget constraints typical for young drivers transitioning from karting's intensity to the strategic demands of circuit racing, where tire management and qualifying positioned him for success in his limited appearances.[17]Eurocup Formula Renault 2.0
In 2011, Timmy Hansen contested a full season in the Eurocup Formula Renault 2.0 with the Interwetten.com Junior Team, driving a Barazi-Epsilon FR2.0-10 chassis powered by a Renault engine, building on his prior experience in the Formula Renault 2.0 Alps Series.[12] The series featured seven double-header rounds across Europe, with Hansen showing consistent competitiveness against a strong field that included future Formula 1 drivers like Daniil Kvyat and Carlos Sainz Jr., as well as series champion Robin Frijns.[18] Hansen achieved his sole race victory from pole position in Race 1 at Silverstone and an additional podium with 2nd place in Race 2 there, amid intense rivalry with Frijns and Sainz Jr., who dominated much of the year.[19][20] However, the season was marred by a couple of retirements due to mechanical issues and on-track incidents, such as at the season opener in Aragon and mid-season at the Nürburgring.[15][21] These results propelled Hansen to seventh in the final drivers' standings with 82 points, a solid debut in the more prestigious series that highlighted his potential but also the financial strains of progressing in international single-seater racing.[22] The difficulty in securing sufficient sponsorship for further circuit campaigns, coupled with his family's deep-rooted involvement in rallycross—led by father Kenneth Hansen's 14 European titles—influenced his pivot to the discipline by late 2011, where lower costs and familial support offered a more viable path.[23][24]Rallycross career
European Rallycross Championship
Hansen transitioned to rallycross following his circuit racing career, debuting in the Supercar class of the FIA European Rallycross Championship in 2012 with the family-operated Hansen Motorsport team. At his first event in Kouvola, Finland, he drove a Citroën DS3 to the final and finished fifth overall in challenging dry-wet conditions.[25][2] His participation was limited that season. Hansen's second year marked a significant step forward, as he entered the full 2013 FIA European Rallycross Championship season with Hansen Motorsport in the Citroën DS3. He secured his first career victory at round three in Nyirád, Hungary, leading from the front in the final after strong qualifying performances.[26] Additional podium finishes, including consistent top-five results across the nine-round calendar, resulted in 145 points and a third-place championship finish behind Timur Timerzyanov and Davy Jeanney.[12][27]FIA World Rallycross Championship
Timmy Hansen made his debut in the FIA World Rallycross Championship in 2014 with the Team Peugeot-Hansen squad, driving a Peugeot 208 WRX, where he secured one victory at the World RX of Italy and three additional podium finishes en route to a fourth-place championship result.[2][28] This rookie campaign marked a steep learning curve for the young Swede, as he adapted to the intense, multi-surface format of the series while competing against established stars like Petter Solberg and Mattias Ekström.[2] Hansen demonstrated growing consistency in 2017 and 2018, achieving four podiums in 2017 without a win and two podiums in 2018 to finish sixth overall with Team Peugeot Total.[2] These seasons highlighted his reliability in qualifying and semi-finals, often placing him in contention for finals despite fierce competition from Audi and Volkswagen-backed teams.[2] His partnership with nine-time world rally champion Sébastien Loeb during this period further honed his strategic approach to joker laps and overtaking battles.[29] The pinnacle of Hansen's World RX career came in 2019, when he clinched the Drivers' Championship with four event victories—Portugal, France, Germany, and South Africa—while driving for the independent Team Hansen MJP.[2][30] This triumph, sealed in a dramatic finale where he edged out Andreas Bakkerud on countback after tying on points, also delivered the Teams' title to Hansen MJP.[31][32] From 2020 to 2024, Hansen maintained strong performances amid the series' shift to electric powertrains in 2022, accumulating a total of 14 career wins and over 50 podiums across his 121 starts since 2014.[33] Notable results included a 2020 victory in Barcelona and third place overall, a runner-up finish in 2021 tied with Johan Kristoffersson, another win and five podiums for second in 2022's inaugural electric season, a single podium in 2023 for sixth place, and a 2024 win in Belgium plus two more podiums for fourth overall.[2][33] Team transitions saw him remain with Hansen MJP after parting ways with Peugeot in 2019, focusing on family-run operations with brother Kevin.[2][34] In the 2025 season, Hansen earned podiums with second place in Portugal, third in Hungary, and third at his home event, the World RX of Sweden in Höljes, but faced mid-season hurdles when Hansen World RX Team withdrew from the Finland round due to logistical and sponsorship issues.[35][36][37] The team made a supported return in Finland through assistance from rival CE Dealer Team, providing necessary equipment, though Hansen finished fourth after struggling with traction in his Peugeot 208 RX1e.[38][39] Sponsorship shortfalls later forced the team to miss the season finale in Turkey, leaving Hansen in fifth place in the final standings with 71 points.[40] Looking ahead, Hansen has announced plans to compete in the 2026 FIA Rallycross World Cup and European Championship, embracing the return to non-electric Supercars as part of the series' reformatted structure.[33][41]Extreme E career
Driver participation
Timmy Hansen made his Extreme E debut in the 2021 Season 1 with Andretti United Extreme E, partnering with British driver Catie Munnings to fulfill the series' gender-balanced driver requirement, where one male and one female share each race in a single Odyssey 21 electric SUV. The pair competed in all eight rounds, scoring 117 points overall and finishing fourth in the teams' championship, highlighted by a victory at the Arctic X Prix in Greenland, where Hansen's leg secured the win after Munnings' strong start, breaking Rosberg X Racing's early dominance in the series. Their debut at the Desert X Prix in Saudi Arabia saw a challenging 23rd-place finish due to mechanical issues, but Hansen's rallycross-honed skills in navigating rocky terrain proved advantageous in adapting to the electric off-road format.[42] In Season 2 (2022), Hansen and Munnings competed with the rebranded Genesys Andretti United Extreme E team, scoring 45 points for a seventh-place teams' finish. They continued with the further rebranded Andretti Altawkilat Extreme E team in Season 3 (2023), amassing 71 points for another seventh-place finish across 16 races combined, with podiums including a second at the Hydro X Prix I in Scotland (after a post-race penalty) despite a 23rd in the subsequent round due to a retirement. Notable results included a runner-up in the 2022 Desert X Prix II and a third in the 2023 Sardinia Island X Prix, where Hansen's precise driving on dusty, narrow tracks showcased his adjustment to the series' tag-team format and energy management demands, contrasting the solo efforts of his rallycross career. The partnership emphasized strategic driver swaps, with Hansen often handling the more technical second leg to capitalize on Munnings' aggressive opening stints.[43][44][45] Hansen's driving role extended into Season 4 (2024) with the same Andretti Altawkilat lineup, yielding three podiums from the first four rounds, including a second-place finish in the Desert X Prix II in Saudi Arabia, contributing to the team's 62 points and fourth in the standings at that point. However, by Season 5 (2025), Hansen shifted focus amid his growing team principal duties, with no full-season commitment; Hansen Motorsport entered the series independently for the first time, but Hansen did not drive, as the lineup featured Munnings paired with Andreas Bakkerud, who secured a podium in their debut race. This limited participation marked a transition from on-track duties, influenced by the series' emphasis on gender parity and the physical contrasts to rallycross, such as shared driving and electric powertrains requiring different throttle control on uneven surfaces.[46][47][48]Team principal role
In 2025, Timmy Hansen transitioned from driving to a leadership role, becoming Team Principal for Hansen Motorsport's entry into Extreme E's Final Lap event. This shift allowed him to draw on his prior experience as a driver in the series to oversee team operations, marking a pivotal step in his career within electric off-road racing.[49][8] Hansen guided the team through its debut in the Extreme E Final Lap, held on October 4-5 in Qiddiya City, Saudi Arabia, with drivers Andreas Bakkerud and Catie Munnings at the helm. The squad achieved a podium in Race 1 before securing a maiden victory in Race 2's Final, where Munnings and Bakkerud outpaced rivals Jameel Motorsport despite post-race penalties adjusting the order. This triumph, Hansen's first as principal, highlighted the team's rapid adaptation to the electric ODYSSEY 21 vehicles and contributed to a fitting send-off for the series.[49][50] Under Hansen's leadership, the team prepared for the inaugural FIA Extreme H World Cup, also in Qiddiya City from October 9-11, 2025, retaining Bakkerud and Munnings as drivers for the hydrogen-powered Pioneer 25 cars. In the event, Team Hansen finished second overall. This move positioned Hansen Motorsport as pioneers in sustainable racing, leveraging the organization's carbon-neutral status since 2022 and membership in Hydrogen Sweden to integrate hydrogen technology. Strategically, Hansen balanced the family's storied legacy—founded by his father Kenneth, a 14-time European Rallycross champion—with forward-looking commitments to environmental innovation, including ISO 14001 certification and FIA environmental standards.[8][49][51]Racing records and achievements
Circuit racing summary
Timmy Hansen's circuit racing career, which began after a successful karting tenure including the 2008 Swedish Karting Championship, focused on single-seater formulas from 2010 to 2012. He competed in Formula BMW Europe and the Formula Renault 2.0 series, achieving his strongest results in his rookie season with a third-place championship finish and a race victory. Subsequent partial-season campaigns in the Alps and Eurocup series yielded additional wins and podiums, demonstrating his adaptability in competitive environments before shifting to rallycross.[52][12] In total, Hansen recorded 44 starts, 3 wins, and 8 podiums across Formula BMW Europe, Formula Renault 2.0 Alps, and Formula Renault 2.0 Eurocup. These accomplishments highlighted his potential as a versatile driver, with consistent top finishes in limited appearances underscoring his skill in wheel-to-wheel racing.[12][53]| Year | Series | Team | Position | Points |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2010 | Formula BMW Europe | Mücke Motorsport | 3rd | 240 |
| 2011 | Formula Renault 2.0 Alps | Interwetten.com Junior Team | 16th | 88 |
| 2011 | Formula Renault 2.0 Eurocup | Interwetten.com Junior Team | 7th | 82 |
| 2012 | Formula Renault 2.0 Alps | Interwetten.com | NC | 0 |
| 2012 | Formula Renault 2.0 Eurocup | Interwetten.com | NC | 0 |
Rallycross results
Timmy Hansen's rallycross career highlights include 14 event wins and 53 podium finishes in the FIA World Rallycross Championship, where he secured the drivers' title in 2019.[2][54] His progression from the FIA European Rallycross Championship to the World series involved competing in the Supercar class initially, before transitioning to the RX1 regulations and later the all-electric RX1e era starting in 2024.[2] Hansen also earned a gold medal at the 2018 Nitro World Games in the rallycross discipline.[28]FIA European Rallycross Championship Results (Supercar Class)
Hansen made his debut in the Supercar class during the 2012 season, participating in a limited number of rounds. He competed at Kouvola in Finland, finishing fifth in the final to score 12 points, but did not accumulate enough for an overall championship position.[55] In 2013, his first full season, Hansen achieved one victory at Nyírad in Hungary and three additional podiums, ending third in the drivers' standings with 145 points behind champion Timur Timerzyanov (185 points) and runner-up Davy Jeanney (156 points).[56][57]| Year | Position | Points | Wins | Podiums |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2012 | - | 12 | 0 | 0 |
| 2013 | 3rd | 145 | 1 | 4 |
FIA World Rallycross Championship Results (Supercar/RX1/RX1e)
Hansen joined the World Rallycross Championship in 2014 with Team Peugeot-Hansen, marking his transition to the global series. Over 12 seasons through 2025, he consistently finished in the top six, with his peak in 2019 when four wins propelled him to the title. The series shifted to hybrid RX1 cars in 2021 and fully electric RX1e vehicles in 2024, during which Hansen adapted with the family-run Hansen World RX Team, securing his 14th career win that year.[2][58] As of the conclusion of the 2025 season on November 13, Hansen placed fifth overall with 70 points, including three podiums. His total of 53 podiums underscores his longevity and competitiveness in the discipline.[54]| Year | Team | Position | Points | Wins | Podiums |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2014 | Team Peugeot-Hansen | 4th | 199 | 1 | 4 |
| 2015 | Team Peugeot-Hansen | 2nd | 275 | 3 | 8 |
| 2016 | Team Peugeot-Hansen | 6th | 178 | 1 | 6 |
| 2017 | Team Peugeot-Hansen | 5th | 201 | 0 | 4 |
| 2018 | Team Peugeot-Hansen | 6th | 149 | 0 | 2 |
| 2019 | Team Hansen MJP | 1st | 211 | 4 | 7 |
| 2020 | Team Peugeot Total | 3rd | 163 | 1 | 4 |
| 2021 | Hansen World RX Team | 2nd | 217 | 2 | 6 |
| 2022 | Hansen World RX Team | 2nd | 135 | 1 | 5 |
| 2023 | Hansen World RX Team | 6th | 78 | 0 | 1 |
| 2024 | Hansen World RX Team | 4th | 181 | 1 | 3 |
| 2025 | Hansen World RX Team | 5th | 70 | 0 | 3 |
Extreme E results
Timmy Hansen competed as a driver in Extreme E from its inaugural 2021 season through 2024, partnering with Catie Munnings for Andretti United Extreme E (later rebranded as Andretti Altawkilat Extreme E and Genesys Andretti United Extreme E). The series' format requires mixed-gender driver pairings, with each team fielding one male and one female driver per event, emphasizing equality and sustainability in electric off-road racing. Hansen's driving career in the series yielded three race wins, seven podiums, and 276 total points across 21 starts, with an average finishing position of 5.24.[59][60] The following table summarizes Hansen's seasonal results as a driver:| Season | Team | Starts | Points | Overall Position | Best Finish |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | Andretti United Extreme E | 5 | 103 | 3rd | 1st (Arctic X Prix) |
| 2022 | Genesys Andretti United Extreme E | 5 | 42 | 8th | 3rd (multiple, including NEOM Desert X Prix) |
| 2023 | Andretti Altawkilat Extreme E | 7 | 69 | 11th | 2nd (Hydro X Prix) |
| 2024 | Andretti Altawkilat Extreme E | 4 | 62 | 5th | 2nd (Desert X Prix) |