Hyundai can be “higher ready” and “stronger” within the World Rally Championship subsequent 12 months after a troublesome 2025, in response to staff principal Cyril Abiteboul.
The Korean marque was soundly overwhelmed this season scoring two victories, at Acropolis Rally Greece and in Saudi Arabia, whereas rivals Toyota chalked up a shocking 12 wins unfold throughout drivers Sebastien Ogier, Elfyn Evans, Kalle Rovanpera and Oliver Solberg, to safe a fifth consecutive producers’ crown.
Hyundai opted to debut its new ‘Evo’ i20 N Rally1 automobile this season at Rally Sweden in February. The upgraded automobile made strides ahead, significantly on quick gravel rallies, nevertheless it struggled to carry out on asphalt and in low grip situations. The automobile was additionally hit by plenty of reliability points.
Reflecting on the choice to improve the automobile for 2025, which was made in 2023, Abiteboul mentioned: “It has been a troublesome and difficult 12 months. We got here into it after such a profitable 2024 season and all the time knew defending our titles can be exhausting, particularly with Toyota reacting as they did. They arrived with 5 automobiles and a really strong package deal.
“On our facet, we dedicated early in 2023 to a radical new automobile for 2025 in comparison with final 12 months. That call introduced long-term worth, nevertheless it additionally meant a steep studying curve this season. So sure, difficult is the fitting phrase – nevertheless it was a problem we accepted once we selected that course.
“The event path of the Hyundai i20 N Rally1 was a really giant mission, and with hindsight you all the time ask whether or not the timing was proper.
Adrien Fourmaux, Alexandre Coria, Hyundai World Rally Staff Hyundai i20 N Rally1
Picture by: Massimo Bettiol – Getty Pictures
“Once I joined, the staff was being dominated by Toyota, so we determined to go daring. The unique plan was a totally new automobile; for varied causes, we delivered a significant evolution as a substitute. Final 12 months’s success was virtually a little bit of a shock, which confirmed that in rally, even a small evolution may deliver a lot. However our Evo automobile was already effectively underway, and we stay dedicated to it.
“The 2025 automobile introduced efficiency enhancements in some areas, but additionally uncertainty, and the season grew to become a studying curve – understanding behaviour, limits and tips on how to extract consistency. It was demanding, however the benefit now’s clear: we’ve a exact view of the weaknesses and a targeted plan for the approaching 12 months.”
Hyundai is anticipated to utilise bonus homologation jokers, afforded to all groups for the ultimate 12 months of the present Rally1 in 2026, to make additional enhancements to its i20 N in a bid to shut the hole to Toyota.
This, coupled with a brand new administration construction in place headed by sporting director Andrew Wheatley, together with the data gained all through 2025 has Abiteboul feeling assured Hyundai will carry out a lot stronger when the season begins in Monte Carlo subsequent month.
“There are positives, apparent and fewer apparent. The 2 wins have been absolutely deserved; in each rallies we managed the tempo,” added Abiteboul.
“The staff’s perspective was sturdy all 12 months, and we by no means gave up regardless of the difficulties. We’ve additionally progressed in how we function and react. The tempo of the automobile was usually excellent, even when the ultimate outcomes didn’t all the time present it. And Adrien was a significant optimistic.
“Bringing a younger driver in is all the time a query mark, however he confirmed maturity, professionalism and actual potential. He additionally helped us perceive the automobile higher, which can matter going into 2026.
Cyril Abiteboul, Staff principal Hyundai World Rally Staff
Picture by: Austral / Hyundai Motorsport
“I consider we’ll arrive stronger in Monte Carlo. In comparison with final 12 months, we’ll be higher ready.
“The organisation is extra steady, the management construction is in place, and having our base in Fechenheim absolutely operational removes a significant distraction.
“We will give attention to extracting the efficiency from the automobiles and the crews. After all it’s all the time relative to what our rivals are doing. Toyota will and their drivers can be sturdy, particularly in Monte Carlo.
“What provides me confidence is that we’ve a a lot better data and understanding of the package deal, the plan is targeted, and there are fewer transferring components than a 12 months in the past. This 12 months was a reminder that absolute efficiency is just not essentially the figuring out issue; it’s extra necessary to have a managed and well-understood product, and a targeted organisation. If we maintain working this manner, we’ll be in a stronger place at first of subsequent season.”
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