2019 World Rallycross Champion Timmy Hansen has taken his programme in a new direction in 2026 by turning his attention to RallyX. After an appearance at Tierp in FC2, it was mainly in RallyX Americas that the Swede returned to FC1 competition over the summer.
Having already scored two podium finishes in Las Vegas at the end of the 2024 season, Hansen had to wait almost two years before getting back behind the wheel in the Hypercar category at Crandon last June.
That return to the United States, however, did not go according to plan.
“Crandon was quite a difficult weekend. We also had some technical issues fairly early in qualifying, so I was constantly on the back foot, starting towards the rear of the grids and having to try to fight my way through. And then there was the crash.”
“It was also our first race, so naturally there was a huge amount to learn in a lot of different areas. But it simply wasn’t the cleanest of weekends, with that early technical issue and then the accident over the jump.”
Despite that difficult start, Hansen gradually turned things around. Two victories, at Eldora and then in Canada, enabled him to finish fifth in the RallyX Americas championship and, above all, to rediscover the level of performance he had been looking for in the FC1.
Montalegre, a new challenge for the FC1
On 24 and 25 October, the RallyX Global Final will present a very different challenge. Montalegre has little in common with the large American circuits on which the FC1 has mainly competed so far.
For Hansen, though, the car remains particularly well suited to the task.
“It’s a really great car overall. I really enjoy driving it.”
“The driving style it requires suits me well and feels quite natural. It’s extremely powerful and it will be really nice to drive it at Montalegre. It’s a circuit with gravel and a lot of characteristics that play to the FC1’s strengths.”
The contrast between the North American venues and the Portuguese circuit is one of the most interesting aspects of the event.
“Originally, it was mainly built for the big jumps and large circuits you find in the United States. Racing it at Montalegre will therefore be a new challenge. It will effectively be the fourth different type of circuit we’ve faced this season.”
While the car will be entering a different environment, Hansen himself will be on much more familiar ground. The Swede knows Montalegre extremely well, having raced there on numerous occasions in World RX between 2014 and 2024.
That track knowledge could prove useful when the Global Final brings together drivers from very different backgrounds. It is precisely that mix that appeals to Hansen.
“I think rallycross is fantastic when you mix disciplines and bring together drivers from different backgrounds. Early in my career, I came from a different world myself and, gradually over the years, I became simply a rallycross driver.”
The Swede also remembers a comparison that was often used to describe the discipline.
“If you remember, people used to say that rallycross was the MMA of motorsport, because it brought different styles together in one arena.”
In his view, however, rallycross has since developed into a discipline in its own right, with its own specific demands.
“But today, MMA has become a sport in its own right, and rallycross has as well. To win in rallycross now, you need to master so many different skills: starts, first corners, battling on track, but also simply being able to drive fast in all the different conditions we face, on both tarmac and gravel.”
It is a level of versatility Hansen believes he has continued to develop this season.
“I think a rallycross driver has to be extremely complete, and that’s something I’ve done a lot of this year. I’ve competed in rallying, I’ve done boat racing, I’ve raced on tarmac circuits, and I’ve done quite well in all of those disciplines.”
“So from that point of view, I’m very happy with my season. But I think that’s quite typical of rallycross drivers: they’re able to move from one form of motorsport to another and perform at a very good level, because you need a little bit of every skill to be good in rallycross.”
One final objective to end the season
Having made RallyX Americas his priority in 2026, Hansen will arrive in Portugal aiming to finish the year in the best possible way.
“This year, we decided to make RallyX America our priority and our main focus. That’s where I believe rallycross is currently at its best, with the best cars and the best tracks.”
The Global Final will bring together a much broader field.
“The Global Final will bring together drivers from the different RallyX series, as well as drivers from outside RallyX, and we’ll all come together to fight for the RallyX Global title.”
For Hansen, the season has already been a positive one. Two victories have gone some way towards erasing the frustration of the opening part of the campaign. A third at Montalegre would be the ideal way to round it off.
“Winning this title would be fantastic. But, to be honest, I’ve already had a fantastic season with my two wins at Eldora and in Canada. To finish it with a third victory would be incredible. It will also be very difficult, but of course I’ll always do everything I can to go for it.”
The 2019 World Champion has a special connection with Montalegre.
“It’s a circuit I really love. I love Montalegre, the people there are incredibly welcoming and the circuit is fantastic. I’m really looking forward to going back. It would be the perfect way to end this rallycross season.”