Hyundai’s WRC upgrade plan to close the gap to Toyota
Hyundai plans to unleash further upgrades to its World Rally Championship car after this week’s Safari Rally Kenya as it bids to close the gap to rivals Toyota. The Korean marque has made a slow start to the 2026 season resulting in comprehensive defeats to Toyota at the opening two rounds of the season in […]
Why Hyundai WRC team is «working at 120 per cent» to salvage its difficult 2026 season
Hyundai is no closer to making a decision regarding its participation in the World Rally Championship in 2027, with the team confirming its priority is to improve its 2026 Rally1 car. The WRC is less than 12 months away from the launch of its new technical regulations designed to be more affordable and flexible with […]
Why Esapekka Lappi was so happy at WRC Rally Sweden
Two years ago at Rally Sweden, there was a beaming smile on Esapekka Lappi’s face after successfully ending a victory drought that stretched six and a half years. However, after this year’s run to sixth you could argue Lappi’s smile was even broader. Granted, Lappi was incredibly satisfied to be immediately on the pace on his World Rally Championship return, a […]
Hyundai “realistic and optimistic” in mission to bridge WRC pace gap
Hyundai is realistic yet optimistic in its mission to bridge the gap to Toyota after suffering back-to-back heavy defeats at the start of the 2026 World Rally Championship. The Korean marque had hoped to have all three cars in the fight for the podium at Rally Sweden, an event where it managed to beat Toyota […]
Thierry Neuville labels WRC struggles the “hardest time of my career”
Thierry Neuville described his current World Rally Championship struggles as the ‘hardest time of his career so far’ following a difficult morning at Rally Sweden. The 2024 champion has been struggling for confidence behind the wheel of his Hyundai i20 N Rally 1 this season, with his struggles from last month’s opening round in Monte […]
Esapekka Lappi thought his WRC career was over, but he’s back
Esapekka Lappi is surprised and excited to make his World Rally Championship return at Rally Sweden after admitting he thought his top-level rallying career was over. The two-time WRC event winner will rejoin Hyundai next week, which will mark the first round of a part-time programme. He previously contested a full-season programme with the Korean […]
Can Hyundai challenge Toyota in WRC 2026?
After coming agonisingly close to a drivers’ and manufacturers’ double title success in 2024, Hyundai found itself resoundingly beaten by rivals Toyota in the World Rally Championship last season, winning just two rallies (Greece, Saudi Arabia) compared to Toyota’s tally of 12 wins. Hyundai’s 2025 struggles can be pinned on a number of variables. The […]
Hyundai postpones Thierry Neuville’s Monte Carlo test due to heavy snow
Heavy snowfall has forced Hyundai to postpone Thierry Neuville’s pre-event test ahead of the World Rally Championship season opener in Monte Carlo. WRC teams have headed to the south of France this week to test in preparation for the annual asphalt curtain raiser to be held from 22-25 January. While Toyota began testing on Tuesday […]
Why Hyundai expects to be stronger in WRC 2026
Hyundai will be «better prepared» and «stronger» in the World Rally Championship next year after a difficult 2025, according to team principal Cyril Abiteboul. The Korean marque was soundly beaten this season scoring two victories, at Acropolis Rally Greece and in Saudi Arabia, while rivals Toyota chalked up a stunning 12 wins spread across drivers […]