Rallycross racer Kevin Hansen is confirmed to drive for the JBXE team in the upcoming Ocean XPrix that takes place in Lac Rose, Senegal. On the other hand, Jenson Button is concentrating on his role as Team Principal for this race.
Kevin is no stranger to the series, having joined the Drivers Programme in 2019 and has been quite involved in the testing process with teammate Mikaela Åhlin-Kottulinsky and his brother as well as Andretti United driver, Timmy Hansen.
He has competed in the FIA World Rallycross Championship for many years, securing event wins and multiple podiums for Team Peugeot-Hansen. The 22-year-old Swedish racer secured the 2015 RX2 title and won the 2016 FIA Rookie of the Year award for best up-and-coming driver following his FIA European Rallycross Championship win in 2015, which makes him the youngest driver to do so.
“I’m really excited to join JBXE team for this XPrix, it’s a huge opportunity for me.” Hanson said. “I’ve been so involved in this series right from the early testing programme until Aragon (Motorland testing) last year, so to get this opportunity now with Jenson is so nice. Excited to see what I can do in Senegal.”
Little did the public know that Kevin and Mikaela have been friends for a long time, having competed both in the local series and the Rallycross.
“I’ve known Kevin since we were 10 years old as we have raced together in the Swedish National Team. Then we work together in developing the Extreme E car over the last couple of years. We’ve actually raced against each other too in Rallycross, so I’m looking forward to getting some good results with him.” Mikaela said, which earned a similar response from Kevin.
“Happy to be joining Mikaela too. I’ve known her for a long time and we have so much history in sharing the car together so it’s going to be so nice in this event. I think we can do a good job as a team.”
Jenson Button himself is fully trusting the role on Kevin given so many experiences he earned during his career.
“I’m delighted to announce that an opportunity has arisen for Kevin Hansen to compete for the JBXE in Senegal. Kevin has a fantastic pedigree and has already achieved so much in rallycross at such a young age. He’s an exciting driver and I can’t wait to see him representing the team in Senegal.”
It is expected that Button will return as team driver in the upcoming Greenland race.
