Hyundai Motorsport had a very low-key debut in the hybrid era of the WRC. The late OK from South Korea to the Hyundai i20 N Rally1 project condemned the team to work against the clock and arrive with less preparation for the Monte Carlo Rally. Based on effort, the team managed to take an important step forward against Swedentest in which the formation conquered its first podium. In Croatia, Ott Tänak and Thierry Neuville were back on the podium. Despite everything, these results should not hide the real situation of the team.
At the end, Hyundai has not achieved any victory in 2022 and it still struggles to match the pace of Toyota and M-Sport in concrete circumstances. For that reason, the weeks of ‘break’ between Croatia and Portugal are key for the team when it comes to continuing to advance in its goal of catching up. After completing an extra test away from the usual dynamics of the season in the south of France, in the interval between Sweden and Croatia, the team is now immersed in the usual dynamics of preparation for an event as complex as the Rally de Portugal.
In that sense, the brand’s official drivers have limited experience at the controls of the Hyundai i20 N Rally1 on gravel, since the team’s work at the end of last season focused on asphalt to prepare the ‘Monte’. So, Julien Moncet As deputy director of Hyundai Motorsport in the WRC, he recognizes that there are still many aspects to work on: «The land is an important part of the season. We have worked a lot on the reliability of the car. It was about pushing him to the limit and I think we achieved that goal.”
In this line, Moncet has added: «Hyundai still has a lot of work to do. Events like Sardinia and the Safari Rally are difficult, very specific events that will put the car to the test. The vehicle will be at the limit in all areas such as the chassis, the hybrid system and the transmission. First we have Portugal, with Dani Sordo back. His point of view will help us, I’m sure. We have to push to improve all areas of the car. The team and crews are ready to do it».
Within the work prior to the Rally of Portugal, Belgian Thierry Neuville was the first driver to take the controls of the Hyundai i20 N Rally1 on gravel, to then give the witness to his companions. In the case of Dani Sordo, the Cantabrian driver was able to drive the i20 N Rally1 for the first time in a test that took place last Friday in April in Arganil. The Spaniard found drier gravel conditions than Thierry Neuville and Ott Tänak had on their respective testing days.
Photos: FIA WRC / Red Bull Content Pool