Hansen named 2016 Rookie of the Year at FIA Gala

Hansen, 18, became the youngest ever European Rallycross Champion ever when he secured the title at the penultimate round of the 2016 championship in Spain, driving a Peugeot 208 Supercar.

The FIA Rookie of the Year award is voted for by members of the FIA Drivers’ Commission and was won by Formula 1 driver Max Verstappen last year.

“It feels pretty unreal to have won this award, it’s hard to understand really,” Hansen told Motorsport.com.

“It's such a special award, and to be the first rallycross driver ever to win it is something indescribable. So many great drivers have previously have won it, so to be on that list is epic.”

Hansen says that winning the Euro RX title, which runs alongside the World Rallycross Championship at five European-based rounds, is still yet to properly sink in.

The Swede’s father, Kenneth Hansen, is the most successful driver in the history of the sport having won the title 14 times.

“I think it's still too big to realize the actual headline of ‘Kevin Hansen FIA European Rallycross Supercar Champion,’ but for sure winning four of the five rounds has sunk in, as well as some strong performances in World RX,” he continued.

“It's really a childhood dream. I think many drivers dream of winning championships as kids watching it on TV, but for me it's so different. I've been in this team literally since I was born.

"I’ve been through all the championship wins and losses together with the same guys, so when you win it yourself with the same people, it’s an unreal and amazing feeling.”

Having dominated the European series in 2016, and impressed with stand-out performances in World Championship events, notably in the UK and Germany, where he finished fourth, Hansen has his sights set on graduating to the World Championship next season.

“Being up to speed with the best rallycross drivers in the world during a complete weekend really shows the development we've had in 2016,” he said.

“World RX is my goal for sure, and I think I've earned it. But as everyone knows it's not only about results in motorsport.”

British Engineer Graham Rodemark, who ran the Peugeot Hansen Academy team this season for which Hansen drove, and has been with Hansen since the start of his career in Junior rallycross in the UK and is adamant that the Swede has the ability to be World Champion.

“I absolutely think that Kevin can be World Rallycross champion,” Rodemark told Motorsport.com.

“The problem is that I think there were between five and 10 drivers in the World RX paddock this year that could be World Champion.

"Those who work the hardest and have the most luck will ultimately get there. Nobody knows what will happen, but I genuinely believe that Kevin is that good.”