Hyundai has not dominated out the potential for working a fourth automotive within the subsequent yr’s World Rally Championship, with a call more likely to come at Rally Japan.
Hyundai’s high administration might be heading to this weekend’s WRC season finale the place it’s understood discussions relating to its plans for subsequent yr might be held.
The workforce is anticipated to area three considerably up to date i20 N Rally1 machines subsequent yr with Thierry Neuville and Ott Tanak already confirmed to pilot two entries.
The driving force line-up for its third automotive is but to be confirmed, though M-Sport’s Adrien Fourmaux has been closely linked to the seat that has this yr been shared by Dani Sordo, Andreas Mikkelsen and Esapekka Lappi.
Nevertheless, a fourth i20 N is also on the playing cards for Hyundai subsequent yr based on workforce principal Cyril Abiteboul, who beforehand outlined needs so as to add one other automotive to the workforce’s Rally1 fleet final yr.
This feature for a possible fourth automotive is among the many discussions to be held this weekend and whether it is given the inexperienced gentle, it might add an additional curveball relating to Hyundai’s driver line-up.
“We’re shut [with our 2025 plans] however after Japan that [announcement] might be coming. We’ve mentioned to all crews that we wish to draw a line after this season, which has been season, and have a look at subsequent yr and the ambition of that and focus on that,” Abiteboul advised Motorsport.com.
Ott Tänak, Martin Järveoja, Hyundai World Rally Group Hyundai i20 N Rally1
Photograph by: Purple Bull Content material Pool
“We’ve some folks coming from Hyundai’s headquarters this weekend at Rally Japan in order that may also be a chance for them to be a part of the dialogue and are available to sure conclusions for subsequent yr in regards to the set-up, drivers and vehicles.
“I nonetheless have the ambition that we might have a fourth automotive in our line-up and that is likely one of the discussions we can have over the course of this weekend and that would have an effect on our driver selections.”
When pressed additional on the subject of coming into 4 Rally1 vehicles subsequent yr, Abiteboul instructed that the additional automotive would probably be entered in chosen occasions.
“The plan just isn’t made however we’re pondering possibly sure occasions, chosen occasions,” he added. “It’s one thing I want to attempt to do for various causes, not least as a result of I feel Toyota will line up a lot of vehicles for subsequent yr.”
