Only three rounds remain on the 2021 FIA World Rallycross Championship tour and Hansen World RX Team still lead both championships heading to a returning venue on the calendar this weekend – Montalegre in Portugal. Three rounds across two circuits in Latvia and Belgium that didn’t perfectly suit the Peugeot 208 WRX’s underlying setup philosophy meant Timmy Hansen’s lead in the drivers’ title race has narrowed to 12 points over Johan Kristoffersson. But hopes are high of a strong rebound in Portugal, where the team has finished on the podium three times previously. Reigning Nitro Rallycross champion Kevin Hansen is also still in the thick of the World RX title fight, only 15 points behind his older brother with 90 points still available to score in the last three rounds of the season. While the action is hotting up in Montalegre, the weather is not. Intermittent rain is forecasted for the weekend, which could lead to some interesting plot twists as the season reaches its most critical point.

Kevin Hansen, #9 Peugeot 208 WRX

“Montalege’s a great track. The gravel section is awesome and the long straight at the start of the lap is interesting too; we don’t have many long stretches of road like that in the championship. It really is like a proper drag race down to turn one here. “I haven’t scored a World RX podium at this circuit yet but I’m still feeling good. I won here in TitansRX back in 2019 and I have experience here from previous years, where the speed was good even if I didn’t get a chance to stand on the podium in this championship. It’ll be great to be there and race in front of the fans again.”

Timmy Hansen, #21 Peugeot 208 WRX

“I’m feeling great heading to Montalegre. This is one of my favourite tracks on the calendar – it’s got a lot of gravel and the layout gives you a very nice rhythm of driving. You have to be able to drive over the big kerbs in the gravel section smoothly for maximum pace, which presents a big set-up challenge – as does finding traction in that deep gravel. “There’s only three races to go now and of course we want to end in the best possible way. I feel like we should have a good chance this week with it being a lower-grip circuit where more traction is needed. Aside from getting the car where it needs to be, the most important thing this weekend will simply be keeping it clean, getting to the finish and standing on the podium at the end of the weekend.”