After Lukas Andersson wowed the category in 2023 at just 15 years old, another rising star from the CrossCar Junior ranks is set to make his Supercar Lites debut — and he’s doing it even younger. At only 14, Hampus Hagström will take to the track in Riga this weekend, ready to embark on one of the biggest challenges of his young career. A quest that, at first glance, doesn’t seem to faze the reigning RallyX champion.
For more than a decade, the RallyX series has earned a reputation as a breeding ground for top talent, producing drivers capable of climbing to the highest levels of the sport. And that momentum shows no signs of slowing down.
After collecting no fewer than six wins and a total of nine podium finishes last season, Hagström is set to make his debut under the Hedströms Motorsport banner in the coming hours.
The young Swede makes no secret of the work he’s put in to prepare for this ambitious step.
“I feel like I’ve done my homework before this first race. I’ve put in a lot of effort to be here this weekend, and I really believe that our approach will start to pay off.”
Fully aware of the challenge ahead, Hagström is proceeding with composure and a clear game plan for this debut.
“My main focus is to keep the right attitude. I’m taking things one step at a time, learning the car, and above all trying to feel as comfortable as possible behind the wheel.”
Indeed, the leap from CrossCar Junior to Supercar Lites is no small transition — especially at the age of 14.
“It’s never easy to go from a two-wheel-drive CrossCar to a real four-wheel-drive race car. A Supercar Lites has more power, and you also have to take into account the much larger size of the car.”
Nevertheless, Hagström didn’t enter the race unprepared.
“I managed to get in around 40 laps before heading to Riga. That gave me a good sense of the challenges I’m about to face, but I’m still hopeful we’ll be in the mix.”
Supported by his father — a two-time winner of the Höljes round in the FIA European Championship back in 2006 and 2007 — and mentored by Peter Hedström, Hampus can also count on the experience of teammates Viktor Vranckx and Filip Thorén.
“I’ll definitely try to pick up a few tips from Viktor and Filip. They’ve both been through this kind of transition before. I followed the first two rounds of the championship in Montalegre and Valkenswaard, and I saw firsthand just how competitive the Supercar Lites category really is.”
“That only confirms that stepping up to Supercar Lites this year was the best decision I could’ve made. Getting behind the wheel of a proper race car at such a young age is without a doubt the best way for me to keep developing as a driver.”