Kenneth Hansen: “We need someone in charge”

What is your assessment of the 2020 season?

It was a strange season for all of us because of the pandemic. We were happy to have been able to organize the world championship, but it was different. We only had four race weekends. Luckily, there were two races per event. It wasn't that bad after all.

And on your side?

We struggled a bit at the start. We had some problems. For example, we didn't have the same speed as in the past. There were also some errors in the settings. It wasn't perfect. Additionally, there were two consecutive weekends (Sweden and Finland) so we had already lost half of the championship before we could even get back into the standings. We were much better in Latvia, we continued our development by adjusting details in different sectors like the shock absorbers. In Spain (last round of the season, editor's note), we found speed again. It was a great moment because we had finally managed to beat the Volkswagen Polo (of Johan Kristoffersson. Editor's note) in speed and on the track. Unfortunately, this was the last race (rounds in Belgium and Germany canceled. Editor's note). Even if you are in Rallycross for a long time, you still continue to learn. We will take certain measures for this year, because we cannot start again in this way if you want to win the championship.

With a normal season, would things have been different?

Yes, I think we would have done better in normal times. We would have had more time between races. Usually there is only one race per meeting, so yes, it would have been different. Sweden and Finland followed one another, we didn't have time to analyze everything, find the problems... It would have been better if we had had a little more time between the two events.

As a team manager, the season must have been difficult too…

It was a very different season. Mainly because decisions were made late. We didn't know in advance if an event was going to take place or not. It was also necessary to have all team members tested before each race. We had to take into consideration many other elements that we didn't have before.

2021 should mark a return to normal if we rely on the first announced calendar…

We all hope to return to a normal year. The start is scheduled for the end of May (the 23rd in Spa, Belgium. Editor's note), but I don't know if we will be able to be there given the current situation. I still hope that we can return quickly and with spectators. This would allow us to return to our traditional rhythm with single-race rounds.

A new promoter must also appear. What do you expect from him?

From what we understand, there is great interest from several promoters to resume World RX. IMG (promoter until 2020. Editor's note) has probably suffered recently, but has still managed to place Rallycross at a great level. Then we lost the support of the manufacturers and that is a sign that something is not going well. So the new promoter must succeed in bringing the WRX back to this same level. We had big names in our championship like Sébastien Loeb or Ken Block. We must succeed in finding all of this in order to be visible to everyone and attract people. I hope that the new promoter will allow us to achieve this and that we can work side by side, but also with the FIA ​​and all the organizers to be all united as one big team. We need someone who is in charge and ready to invest.

Could the arrival of electricity make it possible to regain this level?

Yes I think so. If we want manufacturers to come back, we had to move to electric or hybrid. We opted for the first option. Many fans are not happy, because they think that motorsport is fine as is and should not be touched. But the world is changing and we must take our responsibilities. We need to be “greener”. I understand their dissatisfaction, because we are changing their habits, but I think that Rallycross can be very good with electric. Obviously, it depends on what the promoter offers, the drivers and teams involved, but if we have a good grid, we will have great races. Of course, the sound will be different, but it is not everything in the race. There are other things to take into account. I firmly believe in it. We must take this step to bring rallycross back to its true level. This does not mean that we are closing the door to thermal cars.

What can we wish you for 2021?

To get back to the top of the rankings. We never participated to make simple appearances. Our goal has always been to be on the top step of the podium and to go out on track to give the best of ourselves in order to hope to win the championship. That's the point.