Bakkerud, Munnings join Team Hansen as first Extreme H driver pairing

Hansen Motorsport’s ‘Team Hansen’ has become the first team to be announced for the FIA Extreme H World Cup, with Andreas Bakkerud and Catie Munnings confirmed as its drivers.

The storied rallycross outfit – founded by 14-time European Rallycross champion Kenneth Hansen and 1994 ERA European Cup Group N champion Susann Hansen – has long held an ambition of joining Extreme E previously, and helped run the JBXE team at the 2022 Desert X-Prix in Saudi Arabia.

Timmy Hansen, the 2019 World Rallycross champion, will serve as team principal for the team at the event, having previously competed in Extreme E with Andretti.

“It’s a special moment for me to step into the role of team principal for Team Hansen,” he said. “For us, motorsport has always been a family effort, and to now take on a new role after everything I’ve learned from my mum Susann and my dad Kenneth feels like an exciting challenge.

“I’m super happy to have Andreas Bakkerud and Catie Munnings as our drivers. Catie and I have built a great dynamic as teammates over the years, and with Andreas I have shared so many battles and memories, and I know first-hand how hard he is to beat.

“The respect and trust that comes with the history we all have will be a huge strength as we take on this new challenge in Extreme H. I hope we can give them a great car so that they feel confident to drive fast.”

Andreas Bakkerud's rivalry with his new team principal Timmy Hansen goes way back. Jaanus Ree/Red Bull Content Pool

The signing of Bakkerud is a surprising one. The Norwegian has been a long-time rival of the team, a rivalry headlined by the tense 2019 World RX title fight between he and Timmy. He raced in Extreme E during 2023 and ‘24 for Jenson Button’s JBXE team, where he once again faced off against the Hansens and new teammate Munnings.

“I don’t think anyone saw this coming – even I’m still in shock!” said Bakkerud. “From fighting each other for world titles over the years, and going head-to-head in one of the biggest rivalries in rallycross, to suddenly working together? That’s a big thing to say the least.

“It goes even deeper than joining Team Hansen, because Timmy is going to be my team principal. It can go both ways, but I’m also keen to learn from the team and understand them.

“We have taken this opportunity to fight for a title together, and I’m going to put everything into doing my job next to Catie while racing for the Hansens. I’m not sure I’ll ever get used to saying that!”

Munnings, meanwhile, is no stranger to the Hansen family. Throughout four years of Extreme E, she raced with Timmy Hansen, and also raced with him in the E1 electric boat racing series last year. She made a single start in World RX support category RX2e at Holjes with the Hansens in 2022 as well.

The Brit also helped with the development of Extreme H’s Pioneer 25 racing car, and gave the hydrogen fuel cell vehicle its public debut at the Goodwood Festival of Speed in July.

“I’m very excited to be joining Team Hansen,” she said. “They’ve been like a family to me for years and some of my best mentors in motorsport, so to now be racing for them is like a full circle moment.

“I know that every team member, from the mechanics to the spotters to the media team, is the best in the business, and I have full trust that we will be able to perform at our very best with the team around us.

Munnings was partnered with Timmy Hansen for four years in Extreme E. Extreme E photo

“Working with Timmy as team principal will be new, but he knows the sport like no other and will lead us to our full potential. I’m very excited to be paired up with the crazy Andreas – I’m sure we will have a lot of fun together!”

The FIA Extreme H World Cup will take place in Qiddiya City, Saudi Arabia, on October 9-11, with a final send-off event for Extreme E – which Hansen, with Bakkerud and Munnings, will also compete in – taking place the week before. Further team and driver announcements will follow over the coming days.

“The Hansen name is iconic in our sport, so to have a full Team Hansen entry into Extreme E and Extreme H led by Kenneth and Susann is very special,” said Extreme E and Extreme H chief championship officer James Taylor. “It is the result of years of hard work by our Extreme E team, so we are absolutely delighted that they have joined the series”.

“Andreas and Catie are two of our top drivers, so we expect to see them competing for victory in Qiddiya in October.”