Hyundai driver Adrien Fourmaux has been patiently biding his time.
That time is now.
It’s no secret the i20 N Rally1 he drives has struggled on the World Rally Championship’s Tarmac rounds, but from next week’s Acropolis Rally Greece onwards crews will only tackle gravel rallies.
Still waiting for his breakthrough WRC win, Fourmaux’s mission is to tick that off the list and launch himself back into championship contention.
With seven rallies to go, the Frenchamn is sixth in the standings, 62 points behind series leader Elfyn Evans with up to 35 points available each weekend.
“I’m really looking forward to Acropolis Rally and the return to gravel,” said Fourmaux. “At this event, we’re really trying to avoid any punctures, but also reading the grip and the compressions, with bumps and crests threatening to kick the car off in a different direction.
The i20 N Rally1 is a very different prospect on gravel than Tarmac
“Starting later in the running order will help you with cleaner lines when it’s dry, which is a clear advantage compared to the cars in front cleaning the road and improving the conditions, however there is also more tire wear and the risk of loose rocks.
“Our target for the second half of the season is to get some victories to be back on track for the championship fight. Last year we finished third here, which was good, but we can do better.
“It’s been quite a tough first half of the season due to the amount of Tarmac events, where we struggled a bit more, but we are in a good position to be very competitive for the rest of the season.”
Sporting director Andrew Wheatley supported that thesis: “We start the second half of the year with eyes firmly on the podium.
“Greece is a rally that has been good for Hyundai Motorsport in the past, and there is no reason to suggest it will not be good again. We have three drivers that have been on the podium here in recent years, and they know what is needed for this type of event – but unlike the Tarmac rallies, this is one where a single stray rock can ruin a good event.
“We will need to lean into all the experience of our crews and the unstinting hard work of our team to take the best possible result. Greece has a well-deserved reputation as one of the toughest rallies of the season, but we hope that the ‘Gods of Rally’ will be kind to us.”
Thierry Neuville admitted a good start position, coupled to the car’s competitiveness on gravel, acts as a big source of motivation for the second half of 2026.
“We have a good starting order heading into a run of gravel events, where we know we can be competitive – we proved that last year and in the past. That gives me a real boost of motivation, knowing we’re heading into a rally where we should perform well,” said the 2024 world champion.
“There are other factors at play too, like tire choice and so on, but generally this should be a much more competitive weekend for us. We know what to expect from this event, though these are new roads.
“Temperature and weather can be tricky here, so while you can build on what you know, you still need to stay sharp. We’re driving in a slightly different area and region, so you can hit stages with sharper stones, looser or more abrasive surfaces, and everything can change quickly.
“Our goal is clear: we’re going for victory. With our starting order, a competitive car, and a rally where we have always performed well, that is absolutely our target.”
Dani Sordo will drive the third i20 for Hyundai at round eight.
“We’ve had some great results at Acropolis in the past, particularly in 2022 and 2024, so I come here with a lot of confidence. Now I want to go one better,” he stated.
“The target is always the same: bring the car home, help the team in the manufacturers’ fight, and if we can fight for the win, we will. Portugal did not end the way we hoped, so we are looking to put that right next weekend.”
