Hyundai faces a crucial decision: works team or withdrawal from the World Rally Championship?

Group management in Seoul is set to take a key decision: will Hyundai remain committed to the World Rally Championship – and if so, in what form?

In any case, Hyundai will not be fielding its own WRC27 car at the start of the 2027 season. Sporting Director Andrew Wheatley confirmed back in June that the manufacturer would not be developing a new rally prototype in line with the future regulations. Instead, Hyundai is focusing on the next evolutionary stage of its i20 N Rally2.

This is precisely where the problem lies. The FIA and the World Championship organisers have set out clear guidelines for manufacturers from 2027 onwards: any manufacturer wishing to enter the championship and compete for points in the Constructors’ Championship must field a Rally2 car fitted with a special kit. These include, amongst other things, modifications to the front apron and rear wing, as well as changes to the engine. Furthermore, manufacturers are required to field two cars throughout the season.

For Hyundai, this concept is apparently neither sporting nor economically attractive. Škoda, too, is critical of the model. The traditional route back into the WRC as a works team is therefore blocked for the time being.

Hyundai-Teamchef Cyril Abiteboul

Foto: Hyundai

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Essentially, two options remain: Hyundai can focus on WRC2 with the i20 Rally2, or it can cease its official manufacturer activities in the World Championship and leave participation in the rallies to a private team.

The future of the current works drivers, Thierry Neuville and Adrien Fourmaux, also remains uncertain. Both their contracts are due to expire, and their prospects beyond the end of the season are unclear. At the same time, Hyundai is working flat out on the new i20 Rally2. Chief engineer Jan-Gerad Dejong, who was already instrumental in the success of the VW Polo R5, is developing the evolution stage known as ‘Step 3’.

The aim: the i20 Rally2, which has so far performed particularly well on tarmac, is set to become a winning car on gravel too. The first test drives are due to begin immediately. Neuville and Fourmaux are also set to join the testing programme as soon as possible.

This makes the question of the drivers even more pressing. Hardly anyone doubts that both want to compete at the season opener in Monte Carlo. Whether they will still be starting there as official Hyundai works drivers, however, remains to be seen. In principle, neither is ruling out a temporary stint in WRC2 – provided it offers the prospect of a return to the top flight.

Hyundai i20 N Rally2 in Aktion

Foto: Red Bull

After all, Hyundai has long had to look beyond 2027. Sporting director Cyril Abiteboul has discussed this with the group’s management. If Hyundai wishes to remain in the WRC in the long term, there is likely to be no way round developing its own WRC27 prototype in the medium term. According to Wheatley, such a car could realistically be ready by 2029. A return to hybrid technology would also be conceivable – a concept that Hyundai continues to pursue.

At the same time, alternatives are apparently being explored in Seoul. According to information from within the group obtained by speedweek.com, there are plans to field the new SUV models from Hyundai and Kia in rally-raid racing or on the US Baja circuit from 2029 onwards. This could give rise to a new motorsport platform for both brands.

Nothing has been decided yet. One thing is clear: Hyundai is facing one of the most important motorsport decisions in its recent history. And time is running out for a change of course.

“Hyundai Motorsport remains fully focused on concluding the current World Championship season as successfully as possible, building on the positive results from the Rally Paraguay. Plans for next season have not yet been finalised; announcements will be made in due course,” team principal Wheatley told Speedweek.com in the run-up to Rally Chile.