The team delivered a very poor result in the season’s first true asphalt event at the Rally Islas Canarias round, and the aftermath was still being felt in the lead-up to Rally Portugal.
Adrien Fourmaux finished fifth in the Canaries. Hyundai’s struggles on tarmac were clear, and so far, no definitive solution has been found.
“I think we were a bit lost – why we were losing so much time. Actually, we’re still investigating,” Fourmaux said in Portugal.
“We have some ideas that we need to try for the next tarmac rally. Nothing really major, I think, but in the end, we’ve made some good steps. So we need to keep working on it,” he continued.
Portugal marks the beginning of a long stretch of gravel rallies. According to Fourmaux, this actually suits Hyundai’s current situation well.
“We start from zero again with the new tyres. It worked out for us before. So it’s going to be interesting to see our pace in this rally and where we can be – in position to fight with Toyota, for sure. Let’s see where we are,” Fourmaux previewed.
The new Hankook tyres – WRC’s official supplier for 2025 – have been the most talked-about topic of the season. According to Fourmaux, they differ significantly from the previously used Pirelli tyres.
“It’s much stiffer. It’s heavier. Stiffer – so the grip is a bit lower. It should last longer. That’s what I can say,” the Frenchman explained.
