Hyundai’s future in the World Rally Championship is being decided this week.
President and team principal of the Korean squad Cyril Abiteboul is in Seoul discussing the options with senior members of the Hyundai Motor Company.
DirtFish understands there are three options open to Hyundai: to maintain its status as a competing manufacturer – or constructor as it will be known in 2027 – with a factory i20 N Rally2, to retain a private team to run cars on its behalf or to withdraw from the WRC altogether.
Hyundai’s future in the championship has been the subject of significant speculation throughout this season, with the drivers remaining in the dark about their future.
Adrien Fourmaux told DirtFish: “For now, we know nothing is decided, nothing is done. We know there are options, but we don’t know anything of a decision. What do I think? I don’t know. I guess, it’s 50-50 if Hyundai is staying or leaving. Of course, we hope to stay, but we don’t know what will be the news.
“Am I concerned about next year? Yes.”
Fourmaux has concerns over Hyundai's future
While Hyundai has no immediate plans to build a WRC27-specification car, sporting director Andrew Wheatley said the team remains committed to developing its i20 N Rally2 to ensure it’s in the best possible position when this week’s decision comes.
“In terms of the Rally2 car, it’s quite clear,” he said. “There’s a priority internally to take advantage of the opportunity that’s coming for the closing of the homologation window. And there is another evolution of the car coming for next year, which will be homologated on December 31 this year.
“The testing program for that starts soon. It’s an evolution of the car. It’s not a new model, it’s an i20 N. But there’s certainly a significant amount of effort being put in internally to make sure that that’s the most competitive Rally2 car that we can possibly build. And that’s something that puts us in a position to be able to do something should the opportunity arise.”
