Timmy Hansen: "It’s been five years with Peugeot, so it’s emotional now that it’s all ending."

Timmy Hansen flying over the jump in Cape Town.
PHOTO CREDIT: Junaid Samodien

Timmy Hansen wrapped up his World Rallycross Championship career with Peugeot Sport on a negative note after he was forced to retire from the final in Cape Town. 

Hansen claimed third place overall on Saturday, behind his teammate Loeb and Solberg. 

On Sunday, the Swede claimed third place in the third qualifying heat, and a fourth place finish in qualifying four. He progressed to the semi-finals, and finished in second place booking him a slot in the finals. 

Timmy had a good start in the final but unfortunately he had to retire, as he could not avoid contact with Petter Solberg who spun and threw up a lot of dust. 
“Coming out from the dust, I hit Solberg that has done a spin, and that broke my triangle," said Hansen. "I had to retire."

The Swede has been competing in the World RX championship since its inception in 2014 in a Peugeot 208, five long years but in October, Peugeot announced there withdrawal from the championship at the end of the 2018 season. 

"It’s been five years with Peugeot for me, so it’s emotional now that it’s all ending. I am proud of what we have done," says an emotional Hansen. "I am happy for everything that’s been given to me throughout the years; we have some fantastic memories. I am proud of everything we achieved."

Timmy Hansen would have been in the fight for second place in the drivers' standings, but was forced to take two engine penalties [loosing 15 points per new engine] in Latvia and America. He wrapped up the 2018 World Rallycross Championship in sixth place overall. 

"It has been a good season this year again," says Hansen. "I am happy with the overall result, happy for being with the guys at Peugeot Sport, for sharing this journey with them."