Hyundai might be “higher ready” and “stronger” within the World Rally Championship subsequent 12 months after a troublesome 2025, in keeping with workforce principal Cyril Abiteboul.
The Korean marque was soundly crushed this season scoring two victories, at Acropolis Rally Greece and in Saudi Arabia, whereas rivals Toyota chalked up a surprising 12 wins unfold throughout drivers Sebastien Ogier, , Kalle Rovanpera and , to safe a fifth consecutive producers’ crown.
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Hyundai opted to debut its new ‘Evo’ i20 N Rally1 automotive this season at Rally Sweden in February. The upgraded automotive made strides ahead, notably on quick gravel rallies, nevertheless it struggled to carry out on asphalt and in low grip situations. The automotive was additionally hit by quite a lot of reliability points.
Reflecting on the choice to improve the automotive for 2025, which was made in 2023, Abiteboul stated: “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 could be laborious, particularly with Toyota reacting as they did. They arrived with 5 automobiles and a really strong bundle.
“On our facet, we dedicated early in 2023 to a radical new automotive 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 after we selected that course.
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“The event path of the Hyundai i20 N Rally1 was a really massive 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
Adrien Fourmaux, Alexandre Coria, Hyundai World Rally Staff Hyundai i20 N Rally1
“Once I joined, the workforce was being dominated by Toyota, so we determined to go daring. The unique plan was a very new automotive; for numerous causes, we delivered a serious evolution as a substitute. Final 12 months’s success was nearly a little bit of a shock, which confirmed that in rally, even a small evolution may convey a lot. However our Evo automotive was already nicely underway, and we stay dedicated to it.
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“The 2025 automotive introduced efficiency enhancements in some areas, but in addition uncertainty, and the season turned a studying curve – understanding behaviour, limits and tips on how to extract consistency. It was demanding, however the benefit now could be clear: now we have a exact view of the weaknesses and a centered 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 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.
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“There are positives, apparent and fewer apparent. The 2 wins had been totally deserved; in each rallies we managed the tempo,” added Abiteboul.
“The workforce’s perspective was robust 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 automotive was typically superb, even when the ultimate outcomes didn’t all the time present it. And Adrien was a serious constructive.
“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 automotive higher, which is able to matter going into 2026.
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Cyril Abiteboul, Staff principal Hyundai World Rally Staff
Cyril Abiteboul, Staff principal Hyundai World Rally Staff
“I consider we’ll arrive stronger in Monte Carlo. In comparison with final 12 months, we’ll be higher ready.
“The organisation is extra secure, the management construction is in place, and having our base in Fechenheim totally operational removes a serious distraction.
“We will give attention to extracting the efficiency from the automobiles and the crews. In fact it’s all the time relative to what our opponents are doing. Toyota will and their drivers might be robust, particularly in Monte Carlo.
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“What provides me confidence is that now we have a significantly better data and understanding of the bundle, the plan is targeted, and there are fewer transferring elements than a 12 months in the past. This 12 months was a reminder that absolute efficiency just isn’t essentially the figuring out issue; it’s extra necessary to have a managed and well-understood product, and a centered organisation. If we preserve working this manner, we’ll be in a stronger place at the beginning of subsequent season.”
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