Thierry Neuville is hopeful contract renewal talks can begin soon once Hyundai’s plan to utilise its development jokers for its World Rally Championship car is confirmed.

The WRC points leader is in the final year of his current contract with the Korean marque, that marks his 11th season with the Alzenau operation.

Neuville has previously stated a desire to continue competing in WRC’s top tier although the Belgian admitted earlier this year that his future in the category was threatened by the uncertainty over the WRC’s technical regulations for next year that prompted doubts over Hyundai’s participation in the championship.  

Since those comments, the FIA announced a U-turn on the proposed technical reforms earlier this month following a request for stability in regulations led by the manufacturers.

Neuville says his future is still yet to be secured as the five-time championship runner-up awaits final confirmation over Hyundai’s development joker plan. The team is hoping to use two years’ worth of jokers improving its i20 N after it was forced to cancel development of a new car due to the uncertainty in technical regulations triggered by the FIA’s February reforms.

“I have no confirmation about anything yet, but I knew that the decision from the World Motor Sport Council and the application of the current jokers and future jokers were very important, and I know that has been all worked out in a good way,” Neuville told Autosport/Motorsport.com when asked about his future at Hyundai.

“I believe that it is going well but I have no confirmation, so let’s see. If I get confirmation it [contract talks] will start very soon.”

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

Photo by: McKlein / Motorsport Images

Neuville is however relieved that the World Motor Sport Council decided to uphold the request of the manufacturers to retain the current Rally1 and Rally2 technical regulations until the end of 2026.  

This move coupled with the WRC Promoter’s roadmap to improve the promotion of the championship has given Neuville reason to believe that the series can improve its popularity.

“For me it is a big relief for sure. I believe there are four manufacturers that are relived as well as they all requested [for the rules to stay the same],” he added.

“I think that is important. There was more of a need to secure the current manufacturers for the upcoming two seasons than changing the rules with no confirmation of any new manufacturer.

“I think the FIA understood that it was important to secure the current manufacturers and not only considering the rules, presenting a roadmap for the promotion and evolution of the promotion of the championship.

“I’m happy and there are still things to work on for sure. But with [Sebastien Ogier’s former co-driver] Julien Ingrassia involved with the promoter now to make a link between the drivers and the promoter, and to have his view on things, and Scott Martin [Elfyn Evans’ co-driver] representing the drivers in the WRC Commission, I think together we will be able to bring it [the WRC] to another level.”

Toyota World Rally Championship driver Sebastien Ogier has avoided serious injuries following a Rally Poland reconnaissance crash, but will withdraw from this week’s event.

Eight-time world rally champion Ogier and co-driver Landais were taken to hospital on Tuesday morning for medical checks after being involved in a road traffic accident.

Ogier and Landais were driving a GR Yaris reconnaissance car which collided with another vehicle. The driver and passenger of the other car involved and two members of the public were also hospitalised.

The incident occurred while the duo were preparing their pacenotes for the Goldap special stage, which forms Stage 10 and Stage 14 for what would have been Ogier’s fifth round of a partial WRC campaign, following wins in Croatia and Portugal and second places in Monte Carlo and Sardinia.

Toyota has confirmed that everyone involved in the crash has avoided serious injuries, but Ogier and Landais will no longer compete in the seventh round of the WRC season as a pairing. The event’s first stage is due to begin on Friday.

«Toyota Gazoo Racing WRT crew Sebastien Ogier and Vincent Landais were taken to hospital for checks following a road traffic collision during reconnaissance for Rally Poland on Tuesday morning,» read the statement.

«Two occupants of the other vehicle involved, members of the public, were also taken to hospital for medical checks. The incident took place while Ogier and Landais were preparing for the Goldap special stage, which forms SS10 and SS14 of the rally this Saturday.

Sébastien Ogier, Vincent Landais, Toyota Gazoo Racing WRT Toyota GR Yaris Rally1

Photo by: Red Bull Content Pool

«Ogier and Landais were driving a road car as is the standard practice for rally reconnaissance. All recce cars have GPS tracking, which shows the speeds were within the limits set.

«All involved have underdone scans which showed no serious injuries. While Landais has been discharged, Ogier will remain under medical observation overnight and will not be able to participate in the event.

«The safety and well-being of all involved remains the upmost priority of the team. Alongside this, the team is considering its options regarding any replacement and will provide an update in due course.»

Those options could conceivably include Rovanpera, while Sami Pajari is on the ground in Poland competing in a Rally2 specification GR Yaris.  

Rising star Pajari had been set to make his Rally1 debut with the team in Latvia next month, piloting a fourth entry, before Toyota announced plans on Monday to reshuffle its plans by putting Ogier in the seat, delaying Pajari’s outing to Finland. 

The 2025 World Rally Championship calendar is edging closer to completion following the news Paraguay is set to make its debut next season.

The WRC has been eyeing a 14-round schedule for 2025 that provides a more global calendar than it has been able to contest in recent seasons following the Covid-19 pandemic.

Two events in the South America region had been targeted as key goal for 2025, which has now been realised. Earlier this year Paraguay and Argentina emerged as options, with the former now securing a multi-year deal, becoming the 38th country to host a WRC round. It is expected to join fellow South American nation Chile on next year’s schedule, after rejoining the WRC last year following its debut in 2019.

The announcement was made on Saturday evening in the Paraguayan capital Asunción by president Santiago Peña at the ceremonial start of Petrobras Rally Transchaco 2024 – the third round of the Paraguayan national championship.

“Paraguay is big, and the world is in the process of discovering us. Hosting world class events such as the WRC, is yet another way to show the world our greatness,” said president Peña.

A thriving rally scene is among the reasons why the WRC is keen to add Paraguay to its suite of events. The last eleven editions of the FIA South American Rally Championship have also been won by Paraguayan drivers, while Fabrizio Zaldivar has become an established WRC2 competitor and Diego Dominguez is among the Junior WRC and WRC3 title favourites.

“We have been in discussions with Paraguay already for a number of years and I am incredibly pleased to see this agreement across the line,” expressed WRC event director Simon Larkin, who attended the launch.

“There is no questioning the nation’s passion for rallying and we cannot wait to transmit this passion, as well as Paraguay’s spectacular scenery around the world.”

Paraguay’s date on the 2025 WRC calendar is yet to be confirmed. The gravel rally will however be based out of the southern city of Encarnacion. Stages will take place throughout the Itapua region, which annually hosts a round of the FIA South American Rally Championship.

Paraguay’s inclusion on the 2025 calendar follows the announcement that the WRC will also be heading to Saudi Arabia next year, as part of a 10-year deal that will bring the championship to the Middle East nation for the first time.

It will be the third new round in 2025 following confirmation that Rally Islas Canarias will graduate from the European Rally Championship to host the WRC for the first time, as Spain rejoins the calendar.

Paraguay appears likely to be among the final pieces in resolving the 2025 WRC calendar that is expected to be finalised in July.

In addition to the new events, it has been confirmed that Poland will drop off the schedule following its appearance this year, and Estonia will return in place of Latvia, which will make its debut this year after earning promotion from the ERC.

The WRC confirmed in April that it was working to extend the contract with Croatia which is in the final year of its agreement.

It is anticipated that Monte Carlo will open the campaign while Sweden, Kenya, Portugal, Italy (Sardinia), Finland, Greece, Chile and Japan are expected to feature.