After coming agonisingly near a drivers’ and producers’ double title success in 2024, Hyundai discovered itself resoundingly crushed by rivals Toyota within the World Rally Championship final season, profitable simply two rallies (Greece, Saudi Arabia) in comparison with Toyota’s tally of 12 wins.
Hyundai’s 2025 struggles could be pinned on quite a lot of variables. The squad closely invested in an ‘Evo’ model of its i20 N, and whereas it made strides on quick gravel rallies its working window was slender. The automotive notably struggled on asphalt, and when situations grew to become bumpy and slippery. The introduction of a brand new management tyre in Hankook solely added to the problem in unlocking constant velocity from the automotive. Hyundai’s assets being stretched by its determination to arrange a manufacturing unit programme within the World Endurance Championship, below the Genesis model, performed an element, with all this unfolding whereas the crew relocated to a brand new base in Offenbach, Germany.
Final season was simply as hectic away from the phases because it was on them for Hyundai. However now it seems the Korean model has addressed a lot of what hampered its 2025 marketing campaign in current months, and is reinvigorated for the 2026 season, which begins in Monte Carlo this week.
“I personally really feel the crew is in a a lot stronger place, as in, the crew is sweet and everybody is aware of that,” mentioned Hyundai sporting director Andrew Wheatley. “The individuals within the crew are working extremely laborious however I believe we’ve a sense of a constructive vitality round how we transfer ahead.”
When requested if Hyundai can problem for the titles this yr, Wheatley added: “I believe we are able to positively problem, however in case you make one flawed determination right here [in Monte Carlo] it has knock-on penalties, and right here it’s not a lottery, however not a forgone conclusion. We’d like to verify everybody does what they should do.”
Modifications have been made to the Hyundai i20 N Rally1
Photograph by: Hyundai
Why Hyundai believes it is in a stronger place
Understanding easy methods to maximise the ‘Evo’ i20 N has been a key goal, and for 2026 Hyundai hopes it has at the least discovered solutions to the way it can broaden the automotive’s working window, particularly on asphalt.
A transparent growth technique has been devised, led by technical director Francois-Xavier Demaison, has resulted in Hyundai making key enhancements to the i20 N for this season. One homologation joker has been spent upgrading the gear ratios to compensate for the lack of hybrid and the introduction of a smaller turbo restrictor, an improve it was unable to make final season, having dedicated to the ‘Evo’ automotive improve.
The second homologation joker has been used to deal with the steadiness of the i20 N’s entrance finish to make it extra predictable and fewer nervous.
“I’m delighted [with how the car has progressed],” mentioned Wheatley.
“We all know the efficiency of the automotive is sweet, we all know that it’s about how a lot we perceive it, that working window. The design crew and the take a look at crew have finished an unbelievable job, and I’ve to say FX has actually labored extremely laborious over the past three months to know how we are able to ensure we enhance the bundle we’ve acquired, and optimise the jokers which are out there. We all know that that is the final yr of growth for the Rally1 automotive and we’ve finished a extremely good job.
“The intention is to try to make the automotive extra predictable in a wider window and the gear ratios helps the automotive in situations once they [the drivers] don’t 100% know the highway, it makes the automotive a bit extra versatile. It [the upgraded to the front end] is a part of the suspension, however it’s a complete bundle. There are a variety of components which are a part of the identical joker and it provides them a little bit bit extra stability. It’s to make the window a bit wider.”
Hyundai and its rivals have been busy engaged on their automobiles within the off season
Photograph by: Crimson Bull Content material Pool
Likewise, rivals and reigning champions Toyota have additionally been busy in the course of the low season upgrading the GR Yaris’ suspension and its aerodynamic bundle, with essentially the most notable replace being a tweaked rear wing.
Nonetheless, in an effort to be in the very best form doable for the brand new season, Hyundai has spent 16 days testing for the reason that finish of Rally Saudi Arabia in November final yr. This has not simply been focussed on the Rally1 automotive, with its drivers additionally testing the i20 N Rally2 automotive to additional assist its understanding on the Hankook tyre, and with one eye the brand new technical laws which are extra aligned with Rally2 and can take centre stage in 2027.
Hyundai has additionally relocated its everlasting take a look at base from Finland’s gravel roads to France, the place it has entry to gravel and asphalt roads.
“The 16 [test] days are an fascinating break up. We did some [work] with the Rally2, which was simply pure give attention to tyres, and we’ve finished as many kilometres as we presumably can. The change of the everlasting take a look at base has been fairly helpful and notably for [new signing] Hayden [Paddon] as a result of with out that base, having each tarmac and gravel roads, Hayden can be doubtlessly restricted,” added Wheatley.
“Everyone is at some extent the place they know the place they’re. We all know this rally [in Monte Carlo] goes to be tough, one diploma of air temperature could make a giant distinction on this rally, however basically we’re prepared.”
Thierry Neuville is hoping to depart his frustrations in 2025
Photograph by: Crimson Bull Content material Pool
The decision from the drivers
Monte Carlo’s difficult asphalt phases will present the right litmus take a look at to know how the work within the low season has improved the i20 N Rally1 bundle.
Thierry Neuville minimize a annoyed determine for a lot of the 2025 marketing campaign after struggling to regulate to each the ‘Evo’ automotive and the brand new Hankook tyres. The 2024 world champion is assured steps ahead have been made, however the Belgian feels the automotive nonetheless has inconsistencies that stop him from feeling 100% assured to assault.
“There isn’t any doubt the crew has been working very laborious. There was no break for them they usually have impressed us this week with the testing and the organisation, so it has been a large job. However [in] the top, performance-wise, we’ve to seek out out,” mentioned Neuville.
“Truthfully, if I used to be to say I really feel assured [behind the wheel] I’d be mendacity a bit. I really feel we’ve made some steps on the areas the place we didn’t really feel assured sufficient. Usually, I’m nonetheless lacking a little bit of feeling I used to must assault in situations particularly like these right here. Driving quick is okay however attacking is a special story and I really feel it’s nonetheless too inconsistent, too many surprises.
“I’m positive the automotive can go quick however you want to have the ability to go quick the entire time in all places, so subsequently you want a variety of confidence and good feeling. It’s one thing I used to be struggling a bit in testing, however let’s see.
“I’m optimistic will probably be a greater yr than final yr when it comes to outcomes and efficiency, however will or not it’s adequate for me to seek out the arrogance I’ve had in earlier seasons instantly from the beginning of the season, I don’t know.”
Neuville’s full-time team-mate Adrien Fourmaux, who impressed throughout his first season with the squad final yr, exuded extra confidence when requested in regards to the 2026 bundle finally weekend’s season launch.
“It has been a really quick time without work, I’d say, between the 2 seasons – however we’ve been working rather a lot on the automotive earlier than Monte Carlo, which is kind of good,” mentioned Fourmaux.
“The realm we needed to work on was on the bumpy, tough situations and it appears to have improved the potential of the entrance, but additionally it has calmed the entrance of the automotive and made it a bit much less nervous. It is vitally constructive, so I am wanting ahead, and already from testing in Devoluy I felt the automotive was a lot simpler to drive and that is necessary in Monte Carlo when the situations turn out to be tough.”
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