Despite having three cars reach the semi-finals of the 2015 World RX of Great Britain at Lydden Hill last weekend, Team Peugeot-Hansen were unable to make the final at the fourth round of the FIA World Rallycross Championship.
Team Peugeot-Hansen had a promising start to Sunday afternoon with three of their Peugeot 208 WRXs reaching the semi-finals. Andrew Jordan had been fastest in heat 3, with Timmy Hansen only just missing out on the top spot in heat 4.
However, Hansen couldn’t improve on his starting position in his semi-final, so had to settle for fourth place, outside of the top three. In the other semi-final race, both Davy Jeanney and Andrew Jordan were just as unfortunate, finishing 4th and 5th respectively.
“I was quite pleased with the pace I found for free practice but then I picked up some minor technical problems and I didn’t go so well in the first heat,” explained Davy Jeanney. “I made up for it in Heat 2, though, and I had a strong third heat which helped me to qualify for the semis. I had a small technical issue in my semi-final, however, and I ended up fourth. It was still a positive weekend because I felt good in my car and I hope that will continue to be the case at the next rounds.”
“It was a very frustrating weekend,” claimed Timmy Hansen. “We were fast and up there with the best but my chances took a blow when I picked up a puncture in Heat 2. As a result, I found myself on a damp track in the third heat and that cost me two seconds a lap. The fact that I was second in the fourth heat confirms that we were quick. Unfortunately, I was unsighted behind Kristoffersson in my semi-final and I hit a barrier. I was fortunate that my car didn’t suffer any damage but I lost a big chunk of time. Nothing seems to be going our way at the moment…”
“It was really fun being part of the team this weekend,” commented Andrew Jordan, who switched his BTCC car for a WRX car for the weekend. “Winning not only my run but also the third heat overall on my birthday – and on home turf – was a huge moment for me. When I crossed the line I saw all the fans waving for me. It’s the first time I’ve ever experienced that at world championship level! I’m obviously a little frustrated not to have reached the final, but that’s rallycross!”
On the plus side, Peugeot Red Bull Hansen Junior Team driver Kevin Hansen won the RX Lites race, moving to equal first in the championship standings.
Next round for the FIA World Rallycross Championship will be in Germany on June 19-21. Team Peugeot-Hansen will be hoping to score some more points and make it into the final after a month’s break.
