Hyundai Motorsport’s senior management has spoken exclusively to DirtFish on the challenges it faces heading into 2022, a year it fully expects to be back on top of the World Rally Championship.
Talking for the first time since team principal Andrea Adamo’s departure earlier this month, marketing director Stefan Henrich insisted the squad had everything in place for the coming season.
“We are fully confident [of a third manufacturers’ title in four years],” Henrich said.
“We have a strong team, some of the best drivers and a fast car. Anything else other than targeting both titles as a manufacturer and drivers would be a waste of time.
“As a manufacturer team, the team is the hero. But with our 2022 driver line-up, we will also push maximum attack to make the first drivers’ title for a Hyundai driver in the WRC.
“Everything is possible, especially in Monte Carlo. We will fully focus event-by-event to gain the maximum out of it, starting from Monte Carlo. Even more valid for Monte: to finish first, you have to finish!”
Asked if there was news on naming Adamo’s successor, Henrich added: “Not yet. We will use that opportunity to reconsider the structure and the business scope of Hyundai Motorsport.
“He [Adamo] had his own business style to manage projects, as you know quite well. Once we have defined the structure of the company, we will look into positions and names.
“As an established motorsport operation in different categories, we are not depending on a single individual.
“The team is strong and everybody in the company remains focused on their targets and goals. We have the resources to reshuffle also based on priorities, with Monte taking priority one. Furthermore, we have the full back-up and trust from our HQ management.”
Hyundai Motorsport’s preparation for the 2022 season has been complicated by Thierry Neuville’s testing crash as well as Adamo’s departure.
“[It’s] not a surprise that it did not really help to get things done,” said Henrich.
“There’s a plan B every time, so it’s not that much of a surprise that a car is lost at a test. We rescheduled the building plans for the Monte cars and were back in testing the week after.
“We are back on track with our testing and schedules, so will be ready for Monte Carlo.
“As [is the case for] all involved manufacturers, new regulations and specifications are huge challenges, especially under the given tight timelines.
“To balance the durability and performance of new hybrid cars will be the key for success. In less than four weeks we have to have three cars at the starting line in Monte Carlo.”
