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Meet the teams: Peugeot-Hansen

In the first of a series of interviews with members of the paddock from across the FIA World Rallycross Championship spectrum, we catch up with the reigning World RX teams' champions Team Principal, Kenneth Hansen, from Team Peugeot-Hansen.

Q: What are the responsibilities of a World RX Team Principal on a race weekend?

KH: "Mainly to have an overview of the complete team, to try and keep the team relaxed and working well together. Also managing meetings and being the contact for the team with the race organisers and promoter, so it's a lot of different things. I help the team manager too, so it runs as well as possible."

Q: How does that role change between events?

KH: "It's quite similar, in our company at least. I manage the group of people that we have and spend time planning traveling, not making the bookings but organising things so the team can run smoothly and well. It's important that everybody feels happy. It's an important part of the role to try and create that atmosphere."

Q: How many people do you have in Team Peugeot-Hansen?

KH: "We are normally around 25 people. They don't all come to the races, we usually have about 20 people in Team Peugeot-Hansen at events."

Q: With that number of people, you must have to rely on others to manage areas of the team?

KH: "The chief mechanics are responsible for each car and the engineers are responsible for their area too, plus the Team Manager. My role is to manage the whole group of people so they can all work well together. I'm involved in every area."

Q: Does your experience as a driver (as 14-time FIA European Rallycross Champion) help you in your role?

KH: "Yes. I have made most of the mistakes that it's possible to make on a rallycross track before. We have done a lot of good things too, but it's more when things are not working well that you need to help the drivers come back positive."

Q: What are the highlights of being a World RX Team Principle?

KH: "Of course when success is there, it's always easier, but when our group of people is there and we have fun together. You feel that even in a hard time people are determined to work forwards together. Like when we've had a car roll and it is damaged, you see how all of the group work together to get us back on track, that's really one of the highest points."

Q: And when is it most difficult?

KH: "When it's not going so well. If we don't succeed to get the car out for a race, or if we don't have success on an event. To keep the mood high even when you yourself are not happy. You need to lift the team, that's a difficult part."

Q: Is success as a Team Principle similar to being successful as a driver?

KH: "Not completely. When you are a driver you are really in the centre of things. As a Team Principle, success is a still very, very pleasant feeling. You're not taking the top off the champagne, but for the Team Principle this moment is to taste the champagne. For the driver they are at the top of the mountain you could say, but for the Team Principle it is also a very special feeling."

Q: Is there more pressure on you as a Team Principle with a manufacturer like Peugeot involved with the team?

KH: "Hansen Motorsport is a small company compared to Peugeot Sport, so to make it fit together is a little different. The levels are different but that's a part where we are learning all the time, even if it's the third year of this project. The job is to connect the two parts well. I don't know if it's more pressure really."

Q: Do you think being a Team Principle requires a certain mind set?

KH: "I don't see myself as a big business leader, but I have managed our company for many years, together with my wife Susann, and was also a top driver for many years. Those things together make it good for me to be a Team Principle in World Rallycross, as I have a lot of knowledge of the past and what is required to win."

Q: What are your hobbies outside of rallycross?

KH: "Mountain biking, traveling, holiday trips and a good restaurant... a very good restaurant."

Zdroj: fiaworldrallycross.com