Метка: Hyundai Motorsport

Hyundai yet to make a decision on WRC long-time future

Опубликовано от ASPPA IMAGES ANO


A decision surrounding Hyundai’s future in the World Rally Championship beyond 2025 is yet to be made, insists team principal Cyril Abiteboul.

Confirmation that lead driver Thierry Neuville has signed a new one-year contract for 2025 has fuelled speculation that the Korean brand is potentially heading for an exit from its works WRC programme in 2026.

Hyundai is understood to be gearing up for a move into the World Endurance Championship for 2026 which has cast doubt over its long-term future in the WRC. This has prompted discussion that the brand could leave the WRC completely or remain involved in the category with its rally operation outsourced to a private team for the final year of the current Rally1 rule set.

Abiteboul has so far avoided committing Hyundai to a factory WRC programme in 2026 when questioned by Motorsport.com. The former Renault Formula 1 boss has outlined that Neuville’s contract news doesn’t necessarily mean it is a one-year deal and that a decision on the car maker’s WRC future is yet to be finalised.

Neuville also eluded to the fact that his new deal could be longer than 2025 but also stated that the future of the Hyundai WRC team beyond 2025 is yet to be finalised.

“2025 is what we can confirm now. It doesn’t mean that it’s not a part of a longer-term contract [for Thierry], but 2025 is what we can write about,” Abiteboul told Motorsport.com.

Watch: EKO Acropolis Rally Greece Saturday Morning Highlights

“The reality, first, is it is a longer-term contract with Thierry that has an option mechanism and the reality is that we also need to understand where we are going.

“A few months ago we [the WRC] were going for no hybrid Rally1 minus, Rally2 plus and now we don’t really know a number of things for next year. We talk about next year introducing cost-cutting measures about change to some of the sporting regulations to some of the weekend format is any of that coming?

“Right now we are in the sport and committed to winning the sport and we are exploiting the [homologation] joker capability in the best possible way [to improve the i20 N Rally1 car for 2025] and if we do that frankly we would not want to do that for one year.

“Our goal is to be here for many years and we have a contract with Thierry that caters to that but what we can confirm right here, right now is this partnership being extended between Hyundai and Thierry for 2025.

He added: “The decision [surrounding Hyundai’s WRC future in 2026] is not made and we will talk about 2026 in due time. It is not the time now, now is the time to focus on 2024 and 2025, and we need a number of things for our plans to be formalised for 2026.”

There have been suggestions that Hyundai would not want to continue running the i20 N in 2026 given the road car has been discontinued. Abiteboul says this would only be factor for the manufacturer in 2027 when the WRC proposes its new Rally1 regulations.

“It will become a factor for 2027 we know the i20 N is already discontinued so we could have stopped at the end of this year,” he added.

“For 2027, for sure we need to know first the direction of the sport and also what that means for our own internal strategy in terms of product.

«It is too early to talk about this thing, but it is going in the right direction in relation to that. I don’t have a mandate to talk about the product of Hyundai but that is also one of the reasons why we cannot make a statement about the future because we need to be clear about our own product, but it is not a factor for 2026.”



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Hyundai’s 2026 WRC decision likely to shape Neuville’s long-term future

Опубликовано от ASPPA IMAGES ANO


Thierry Neuville says his World Rally Championship future beyond 2025 will likely be determined by Hyundai’s WRC plans as he doesn’t see himself “going on with another brand”.

The WRC points leader has signed a new one-year extension that will take him into a 12th season with the Korean marque.

However, the Belgian’s WRC future beyond 2025 is unclear with Hyundai yet to confirm its commitment to the WRC for 2026, amid speculation the brand could leave the championship and join the World Endurance Championship.

Neuville has previously stated a desire to sign a two-year deal but it appears Hyundai’s uncertain future has resulted in only a one-year extension. The 36-year-old, while happy to secure his future for another season, admitted that there were even some initial worries about securing this new contract.

“It is great news. I’m very happy to continue my preferred sport with the passion and the enthusiasm I still have, so I’m looking forward to it,” Neuville told Motorsport.com.

“Obviously the fact that the contract is signed is a good point and I don’t need to worry about that anymore.

“At some point, sure, I think we were all worried. However, now it’s official, we’re going to continue, and I think it’s also important news for the team members as well.”

Podium: Thierry Neuville, Martijn Wydaeghe, Hyundai World Rally Team Hyundai i20 N Rally1

Podium: Thierry Neuville, Martijn Wydaeghe, Hyundai World Rally Team Hyundai i20 N Rally1

Photo by: Austral / Hyundai Motorsport

When asked if there was an option of a two-year deal, he revealed that there is the possibility he could be with the team longer than his new terms of his new agreement.

“We don’t go into more details, but opportunities will be there, but it will not depend on us, so I believe that we will have to see what the future of the team is. We could be there for longer,” he said.

Pressed on if he had started to think about his future beyond 2025, he replied: “Not at all, because, like I said, there might be opportunity for more. At the moment, it’s too early to know what will be the future of the teams in WRC and the category itself. So I believe that it’s too early to know.”

However, given the uncertainty around Hyundai’s WRC future beyond 2025, Neuville said that the brand’s decision whether to stay or leave the WRC could ultimately decide the future of his own rallying career in the top flight.

“Obviously, for me it wouldn’t be a disaster not to be there anymore after so many years, but on the other hand, if obviously Hyundai retire it would probably be a point for me to retire as well. I have done so long with them and I have enjoyed that time. At the moment I don’t see myself going on with another brand, but who knows?”

Neuville has previously shown interest in competing in categories outside of the WRC, having raced in TCR Germany in 2019. While he revealed that at some point he could consider an alternative to rally, the WRC is where he wishes to compete in the near future.

“At some point [I could consider Rally Raid or circuit racing], but honestly speaking, if I do something I want to do it professionally. At the moment where I can make the best of is still in WRC. It’s where I’m the best and where the team needs me the most. So, that’s the place to be at the moment,» he said.

Thierry Neuville, Martijn Wydaeghe, Hyundai World Rally Team Hyundai i20 N Rally1

Thierry Neuville, Martijn Wydaeghe, Hyundai World Rally Team Hyundai i20 N Rally1

Photo by: Red Bull Content Pool

Looking ahead to next season, Neuville will drive a heavily upgraded i20 N Rally, thanks to the deployment of homologation jokers, as the team aims to resurrect some of the plans it had for its new car project that was abandoned amid the 2025 FIA technical rules U-turn earlier this year.

Neuville has already begun testing some of the updates ahead of their 2025 debut.

“The target of the team to be competitive next year. So I think if they carry on with signing fast drivers it’s because they want to be competitive and that is why they have decided to put some jokers on the car,” he added.



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Neuville signs new Hyundai deal to join Tanak for 2025 WRC

Опубликовано от ASPPA IMAGES ANO


Thierry Neuville has signed a one-year contract extension to remain with Hyundai, alongside Ott Tanak, to contest the 2025 World Rally Championship.

The current WRC points leader had entered into the final year of his current deal with the Korean marque this season, before reaching a new agreement that will take the five-time title runner-up into a 12th year with the team in WRC.

Neuville will once again continue alongside co-driver Martijn Wydaeghe, while Hyundai has exercised an option on 2019 world champion pairing Tanak and Martin Jarvoeja for next year. Tanak scored victory in Sardinia this year in his second spell with the team after spending 2023 driving for M-Sport-Ford.

Neuville joined Hyundai in 2014 when the car maker embarked on its second stint as a factory team in the WRC. The Belgian scored his and Hyundai’s first outright WRC win in Germany in their maiden season — the win is one of 20 Neuville has scored for the Alzenau outfit.

The 36-year-old told Autosport last year that he would like to sign a two-year deal to take him into 2026. However, Hyundai’s future in the WRC beyond 2025 is yet to be confirmed amid speculation the marque could leave the championship, amid expected plans to join the World Endurance Championship in 2026.

“I am very happy to extend my contract with Hyundai Motorsport for the 2025 FIA World Rally Championship season,” said Neuville on the eve of this weekend’s Acropolis Rally in Greece.

“There are not many partnerships in motorsport that have spanned as long as ours, but since 2014 we have achieved great success together.

Thierry Neuville, Martijn Wydaeghe, Hyundai World Rally Team Hyundai i20 N Rally1

Thierry Neuville, Martijn Wydaeghe, Hyundai World Rally Team Hyundai i20 N Rally1

Photo by: Red Bull Content Pool

“I’ve said before that this team has become a second family to me, and our ambition and motivation has only grown year after year. It would be a great honour to win our first drivers’ title with them at the end of this season, and to carry that forward into a 12th year together. I can’t wait to see what the future holds for us.”

Hyundai team principal Cyril Abiteboul added: “We are pleased to confirm Thierry Neuville alongside Ott Tanak for our 2025 FIA World Rally Championship campaign.

“The decision to maintain this competitive pairing at Hyundai Motorsport underscores our commitment to the series in 2025, where we will once again be targeting all three championship titles.

“Thierry has been with Hyundai Motorsport since the very start, proving invaluable to the team both on the stages and in the factory over the past 11 years.

“With him and his co-driver Martijn Wydaeghe now locked in for next season, we have all of the ingredients needed to continue fighting at the very pinnacle of our sport.”

Hyundai is yet to announce who will pilot its third i20 N Rally1 next year. Abiteboul has previously stated that the team is “exploring scenarios” for this entry having chosen to split the car across Esapekka Lappi, Andreas Mikkelsen and Dani Sordo.

M-Sport’s Adrien Fourmaux has however been heavily linked to the drive, although the British squad is eager to keep its lead driver for 2025.

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Sordo to make WRC return for Hyundai in Greece

Опубликовано от ASPPA IMAGES ANO


Dani Sordo will contest another World Rally Championship event this year after confirmation Hyundai has selected the veteran to pilot its third entry at next month’s Acropolis Rally Greece.

Sordo’s immediate WRC future had been unknown, with the Spaniard revealing earlier this season that he had only two outings planned with the Korean marque.

Those two appearances in Portugal in May and June’s Rally Italia Sardinia yielded fifth and third places finishes respectively. The 41-year-old hinted in Sardinia the rally could be his last WRC outing.   

“I don’t know if you will see me again, let’s see,” said Sordo when asked at the end of the Power Stage when he would be back. “I have two rallies this year, I don’t want to talk about it now, so let’s see. I will finish this rally with a podium, and this will make me happy.”

However, following today’s release of the Acropolis Rally Greece entry list, Sordo will be handed another opportunity this season to pilot Hyundai’s third i20 N Rally1 at the 5-8 September event.

Dani Sordo, Candido Carrera, Hyundai World Rally Team Hyundai i20 N Rally1

Dani Sordo, Candido Carrera, Hyundai World Rally Team Hyundai i20 N Rally1

Photo by: Red Bull Content Pool

Hyundai had selected Sordo for the previous three visits to Greece, where he finished third in those last two editions of the tough gravel rally.

Sordo has been active since his last outing in Sardinia having contested the USA’s famous Pikes Peak hillclimb, winning the Exhibition class driving a modified electric-powered IONIQ 5 N TA. Sordo also made an appearance at the Goodwood Festival of Speed and won the Rallye Blendio Cristian Lopez Herrero asphalt event in his native Spain earlier this month.

The entry list also confirms that M-Sport will field a third Ford Puma Rally1 for Greek gentleman driver Jourdan Serderidis to ensure nine Rally1 cars are set to tackle the event’s 15 stages.

Earlier today, Toyota announced its line-up, confirming that eight-time world champion Sebastien Ogier will drive its third GR Yaris.  

After scoring an impressive fourth on his Rally1 debut in Finland, Sami Pajari will return to Rally2 machinery to head up the WRC2 field. Championship leader Oliver Solberg has opted to sit this round out.



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Hyundai “making big efforts” to solve “peaky” WRC car

Опубликовано от ASPPA IMAGES ANO


Hyundai’s revised 2025 World Rally Championship car will address some of its current “peaky” handling issues, with the team “making big efforts” to find solutions.

The i20 N has proven to be fast and more reliable this year but its optimum operating window is narrow which has frustrated drivers.

In low grip and changeable conditions the car has struggled to consistently perform, with the Toyota arguably the benchmark in such scenarios.

At last weekend’s Rally Finland, Thierry Neuville and Esapekka Lappi struggled for ultimate performance and were forced into trying several set-ups to tame the i20 N. Neuville said that the team “turned the car upside down and we couldn’t find anything that gave us more performance” on his run to second overall.

Team principal Cyril Abiteboul is fully aware of the “peaky” nature of its WRC car and has assured the team it is working to find solutions through much publicised upgrades for next year, while the squad has already planned some tests designed to resolve the i20 N’s problems.

“We have a car that is suffering two things, first it is quite peaky. The operating window of whatever set up is very narrow and when we have stable condition, it can be all good, all nice, from Thursday shakedown to Sunday evening or whatever the end of the rally, but in a rally like this one where the conditions are almost changing by corner it doesn’t work, it simply does not work,” Abiteboul told Motorsport.com.

Thierry Neuville, Martijn Wydaeghe, Hyundai World Rally Team Hyundai i20 N Rally1

Thierry Neuville, Martijn Wydaeghe, Hyundai World Rally Team Hyundai i20 N Rally1

Photo by: Fabien Dufour / Hyundai Motorsport

“In slippery conditions we are not quite as stable as benchmark, which for me is the Toyota. I think it’s clear that we’ve got some work to do again.

“First, finding a wider operating window and secondly, work on low grip conditions. Some of that we are trying to address is in what we have in the pipeline for next year’s car, but some of that is still not totally addressed, but we are making big efforts.

“We have got some tests that are planned in order to try to bring some solution to those problems.”

Despite the balance issues in Finland, Hyundai managed to open up a 20-point lead in the manufacturers’ championship with four rounds remaining, after Toyota’s Kalle Rovanpera and Elfyn Evans suffered retirements last Sunday.

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Third car strategy the main doubt over Hyundai’s 2025 WRC driver line-up

Опубликовано от ASPPA IMAGES ANO


Hyundai’s strategy for its third car is the “main question mark” regarding its 2025 World Rally Championship driver line-up, says team principal Cyril Abiteboul.

The Korean marque has fielded three i20 N Rally1s this season with two of those driven by full-time drivers in Thierry Neuville and 2019 world champion Ott Tanak, with its third car split across Esapekka Lappi, Andreas Mikkelsen and Dani Sordo.

Hyundai is yet to confirm its driver plans for next season with championship leader Neuville’s current deal set to expire at the end of the season, while the team has an option to extend Tanak’s contract after rejoining the squad from M-Sport this year.

Abiteboul says there is an ongoing process regarding its driver line-up for next year with the main focus on plans for the third car.

“There is an ongoing process. We are talking about next year [with Thierry], he knows the place, we know him, it is a winning pair, so why would we change it?” Abiteboul told Motorsport.com.

Neuville was quizzed about his future, adding: “There is no update, but I’m not too concerned anymore.”

When asked specifically about Tanak’s future, Abiteboul said: “There is an option, and we will talk about that. I think we enjoy working together, so I think an option would be something pretty natural to be exercised.”

Ott Tänak, Martin Järveoja, Hyundai World Rally Team Hyundai i20 N Rally1

Ott Tänak, Martin Järveoja, Hyundai World Rally Team Hyundai i20 N Rally1

Photo by: Red Bull Content Pool

But in terms of the third car, Abiteboul is keen to “explore scenarios”, having opted to run Mikkelsen largely on asphalt events this year (Monte Carlo, Croatia), with Sweden and gravel rallies, apart from Poland, split between veteran Sordo (Portugal, Sardinia) and Lappi (Sweden, Kenya, Latvia and Finland).

Lappi has scored the most points to date with 33 from four events, including 19 from winning Rally Sweden. Mikkelsen has scored 29 points while Sordo has accrued 27 from only two events.

“The main question mark for us would be the strategy on the third car,” said Abiteboul. “As for the third car I’m at a point where I want to explore scenarios. I want to be open-minded about what to do and reflect on what we did this year and assess if we have done the right thing and if it is the right thing to carry over into next year.”

Should Hyundai wish to opt for an alternative strategy and look outside its current drivers for next year, there could be various options. The team was last year linked with M-Sport’s Adrien Fourmaux, who is enjoying his best WRC season to date, headlined by four third-place finishes.

When asked if he had started talks about his 2025 plans, Fourmaux said: “I think it is the moment where we start the discussion. First of all, I hope I will be in a Rally1 car next year.

“As a driver, you need to be talking with everybody, and if you want to be a Rally1 driver there are three teams, so you need to speak with the three teams.”

It is likely all WRC teams will be keeping an eye on WRC2 leader Oliver Solberg, who harbours a wish to return to a Rally1 car in the future following his part-time campaign with Hyundai in 2022.

“To be honest, I don’t know anything about next year. I have a lot of dreams and a lot of goals, but I have nothing yet,” said Solberg.

“Of course, I’m only 22 and the dream is to be back in a Rally1 obviously, but I don’t think about it too much. I will do my best now and can only focus on that.”



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Neuville sees Ogier as WRC title rival after Finland rollercoaster

Опубликовано от ASPPA IMAGES ANO


World Rally Championship leader Thierry Neuville sees Toyota’s Sebastien Ogier as his main title rival despite the latter yet to officially commit to the remaining rounds.

The WRC title race has a different complexion after a Rally Finland Neuville described as a «roller coaster of emotions» that has left the Belgian with a 27-point lead in the standings.

That lead is now over eight-time world champion Ogier, who is contesting a part-time campaign this year, which has yielded three wins and three second place finishes from his six rounds to date.

Ogier won last weekend’s Rally Finland claiming 24 points [18 on Saturday, five on Super Sunday and one on the Power Stage] which helped the Frenchman climb above full-timers Toyota’s Elfyn Evans and Hyundai’s Ott Tanak in the championship standings. Evans and Tanak both left Finland empty-handed after crashes and are now 36 and 31 points behind respectively.

Ogier has been asked by Toyota to drive the remaining events — Greece, Chile, Central Europe and Japan — with the Frenchman, who said he is yet to get a «feeling» for a ninth world title push, expected to make a decision in the next two weeks.

Neuville however has sights already fixed on Ogier as his title rival.

When asked who his main rival is after Finland, Neuville said: «Number two, which is Mr Ogier at the moment.

«He may not feel it [like pushing for a title] but he has been there on the last rallies and he’s fighting for every single point. For sure [I’m thinking about him].»

Thierry Neuville, Martijn Wydaeghe, Hyundai World Rally Team Hyundai i20 N Rally1

Thierry Neuville, Martijn Wydaeghe, Hyundai World Rally Team Hyundai i20 N Rally1

Photo by: Red Bull Content Pool

Neuville’s Rally Finland had seemed like a damage limitation exercise as the Belgian struggled to find confidence behind the wheel of his i20 N.

However, shock retirements for long-time leader Kalle Rovanpera and Elfyn Evans on the penultimate stage earned Neuville 24 points, boosted by scoring eight of the 12 points available for Super Sunday.

Despite the challenges he faced with his car, Neuville felt his clever approach paid dividends in the circumstances.

«It was a pure roller coaster of emotions this weekend. We had high hopes, but somehow we realised already in shakedown that things were not working as we would like and it could be a challenging weekend, which it was,» he added.

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«The performance wasn’t great all the time, it was a bit up and down and they were challenging [wet] conditions to drive in. We understood quickly that we had to have a clever approach and focus on bringing home important points.

«Our two team-mates that crashed out on Friday gave us a lot of pressure because the team desperately needed a car in the points, but we constantly managed and changed our approach according to the situation.»



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Tanak ruled out of remaining Rally Finland WRC stages after crash

Опубликовано от ASPPA IMAGES ANO


Ott Tanak’s World Rally Championship title hopes have been dealt a further blow following confirmation that the Hyundai driver is unable to rejoin Rally Finland after Friday morning’s crash.

The 2019 world champion lost control of his i20 N in stage three [Saarikas] in slippery conditions which resulted in the vehicle rolling before colliding with a tree.

Tanak and co-driver Martin Jarveoja managed to exit the car before officials red-flagged the stage to allow medical crews to attend the scene. While Tanak emerged from the incident unscathed, Jarveoja was taken to hospital for further examinations.

Hyundai has declared both driver and co-driver are “well”, but Jarveoja will remain in hospital overnight for observation. Therefore, the duo, who sit second in the championship standings, will retire completely from the rally and will be unable to fight for Super Sunday points.

“While competing at Rally Finland, round nine of the FIA World Rally Championship season, Hyundai Motorsport’s Ott Tanak and Martin Jarveoja were involved in a crash on Friday morning during SS3 Saarikas 1.” read a statement from Hyundai Motorsport.

Ott Tänak, Hyundai World Rally Team

Ott Tänak, Hyundai World Rally Team

Photo by: Fabien Dufour / Hyundai Motorsport

“Their Hyundai i20 N Rally1 Hybrid slid off the road at high speed in tricky and slippery conditions just over 2km in stage. The car subsequently rolled and hit a tree. After the accident, Tanak and Järveoja exited the car themselves without assistance and the stage was immediately red flagged to allow medical services to attend the scene.

“Both Tanak and Jarveoja were quickly attended to by the medical team, with Jarveoja taken to hospital by helicopter for further examination. While both driver and co-driver are well, Jarveoja will need to remain in hospital overnight for observation as a precaution. 

“As a result, the #8 crew will not return for the remainder of the Rally Finland weekend.”

To compound Hyundai’s woes its third car found trouble in stage six, the first of the afternoon, resulting in Esapekka Lappi retiring from fourth place.

Lappi appeared to clip a tree with the right-rear corner which dragged the front into the trees. The Finn was able to limp the car off the stage and into retirement.

Toyota’s Takamoto Katsuta will also be absent from Friday’s stages after failing to bring his GR Yaris back to the Jyvaskyla service park after damaging his right-rear suspension in an impact with a tree in stage five.

“At the beginning of the stage there was a tight corner with some trees. I managed to brake ok, but the rear snapped so I went a bit wide and I hit the tree on the exit of the corner, said Katsuta.

“The wheel nearly came off, but we managed to finish the stage. We tried to fix it to come back to service, but on the way back the wheel completely came off. so we were on three wheels, and we were not able to come back.”

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Neuville pips Katsuta to claim early lead

Опубликовано от ASPPA IMAGES ANO


World Rally Championship points leader Thierry Neuville snatched the opening stage victory from Takamoto Katsuta to claim an early Rally Finland lead.

Neuville was the last of the Rally1 cars to tackle the Harju super special stage in host city Jyvaskyla and was able to pip Toyota’s Katsuta by 1.1 seconds on the mixed surface test.

The stage time arrived following a challenging Thursday morning shakedown at the famous gravel rally for the Belgian.

“It’s a good start, but the real stuff starts tomorrow,” said Neuville. “We are looking forward, it was a difficult shakedown for us this morning and we had some problems with the car.”

Hyundai’s Ott Tanak was third fastest, 0.2s adrift of the outright pace, while Toyota’s Sebastien Ogier, making his first Finland start since 2021, was fourth quickest. Reigning world champion Kalle Rovanpera rounded out the top five.

“This is always a tricky stage to start the rally and it felt narrower in places — I just wanted to get it done, we are through and tomorrow the rally starts,” said Rovanpera.

Kalle Rovanperä, Jonne Halttunen, Toyota Gazoo Racing WRT Toyota GR Yaris Rally1

Kalle Rovanperä, Jonne Halttunen, Toyota Gazoo Racing WRT Toyota GR Yaris Rally1

Photo by: Red Bull Content Pool

Adrien Fourmaux led M-Sport-Ford’s charge in sixth (+3.0s) ahead of Hyundai’s Esapekka Lappi (+3.1s), who was lucky to avoid clipping a tyre wall with the right rear of his i20 N. Toyota’s Elfyn Evans was eighth (+3.2s) ahead of Rally1 rookie Sami Pajari (+4.6s).

“Very special moment, always nice atmosphere here on the Harju stage but I am not sure how much I was enjoying it due to the conditions, 500 horsepower and the power but there we go — we are excited for tomorrow,” said Pajari.

M-Sport’s Gregoire Munster completed the top 10 (+8.2s).

WRC2 title contender Oliver Solberg led the way in the second tier posting a time 1.1s faster than Estonia’s Georg Linnamae, while Toyota WRC team principal Jari-Matti Latvala, making a one-off outing, was third (+2.1s_ driving a Rally2-spec GR Yaris.

“That’s weird, I just took it easy, I didn’t warm my tyres enough at the start and I was way too careful on the first bit, but the second lap was decent,” said Solberg.

The rally now continues on Friday with nine gravel stages awaiting the crews.



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