| In a thrilling finale to the Extreme E championship, Team Hansen claimed a maiden victory in the last-ever round of the series. The extraordinary achievement marks back-to-back podiums on the Swedish squad’s debut weekend.
Team Hansen was assembled from all corners of motorsport for Extreme E’s Final Lap in Qiddiya, Saudi Arabia, including a new driver pairing in Catie Munnings and Andreas Bakkerud. The win stands as a testament to the enduring passion, commitment, and competitive spirit of the team, with Hansen Motorsport bringing its 35 years of experience and winning ways to a brand-new racing environment.
Following a third-place finish in Saturday’s round of Extreme E’s Final Lap, the second half of the celebratory double-header was one of highs and lows for the newly formed team. After winning their Q1 Heat, despite suffering an issue during the launch, the Hansen outfit endured a tough Heat in Q2, finishing last after another troublesome launch off the line.
While bad starts brought frustration, clean and composed racing paid off when it mattered most. Penalties for two of the other teams in Q2 Heat 1 promoted the Hansen squad to second place, securing a spot in the Grand Final once more.
As chaos unfolded around them, Team Hansen stayed out of trouble and seized every opportunity. In the Final, Munnings showcased her Extreme E experience, narrowly avoiding a collision between Mikaela Åhlin-Kottulinsky and Hedda Hosås that put both KMS cars out of the race.
Munnings then went on the charge, reeling in Jameel Motorsport’s Molly Taylor with a series of purple sectors all the way to the Switch Zone. Bakkerud took over for the second half of the race, finding himself chasing none other than Kevin Hansen.
Hansen extended his lead, crossing the line in first place for Jameel Motorsport on home soil, but penalties for speeding in the yellow flagged slow zone demoted the Saudi team to second place.
For Munnings, the result marks a perfect conclusion to her Extreme E journey. Competing in every single event in the championship’s history, the Brit now adds a second X Prix victory to her record, while Bakkerud celebrates his first-ever X Prix win.
Andreas Bakkerud, Team Hansen driver, said: «Taking my first Extreme E win with Team Hansen and achieving it in only our second race together as a team is honestly incredible. Even though it was their debut in the series, the Hansens have a lot of experience in motorsport, and the team’s success this weekend just shows the passion and commitment that has led to so many victories.
«Now we can add winning the last-ever Extreme E race to each of our lists! Going from being rivals to making history together is a lot to take in, and on top of that I was chasing Kevin [Hansen] in that Final which was crazy. We’ve battled so many times in the past, and to now stand on the top step with his family’s team feels like things have come full circle.»
Kenneth Hansen, Team Hansen Team Principal, said: «We came into this round with no expectations, just determination and a love for what we do. To win the last-ever Extreme E race, with a new line-up and so many unknowns, is something very special. It shows what Team Hansen is all about and we are ready to turn our attention to a new adventure next week with Extreme H.»
As the dust settles on Extreme E, the teams prepare for the championship’s transition into the FIA Extreme H World Cup, taking place in Qiddiya, Saudi Arabia, next week (9-11 October).
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