Rumours have swirled around the Korean manufacturer throughout the spring. Perhaps the most prominent speculation points to Hyundai pulling out of the WRC entirely, possibly as early as the end of this season – and at the latest, after the 2026 campaign.
Team principal Cyril Abiteboul has been largely absent from recent rallies. The Frenchman has been busy preparing Hyundai’s entry into the World Endurance Championship, which currently appears to be the brand’s top motorsport priority. Abiteboul made brief visits to Portugal and Sardinia, but he was only seen by the media during Thursday commitments.
In Sardinia, Abiteboul responded to questions about Hyundai’s WRC future. He promised that decisions would be made by the summer break – meaning by early August at the latest.
“I mean there is two type of future. First there is 2026 and we are still working in the background. We are still trying to make sure that the figures from a financial perspective, from a return on investment perspective, can work,” Abiteboul said.
Abiteboul’s comments don’t sound overly optimistic for Hyundai’s continued presence in the WRC, especially upon closer analysis. For starters, Toyota has outclassed Hyundai so far this season, so the return on investment from rallying isn’t currently boosting the brand’s image. On top of that, the championship’s overall competitiveness is at a low ebb – it’s no surprise Hyundai might favour circuit racing instead.
“It’s no secret that the automotive industry is facing some challenges. Like everyone, we are part of this world so we need to justify what we do. We need to make sure that we deliver in terms of success, but also in terms of marketing value for the brand,” Abiteboul explained.
“I’m optimistic that we will know before the summer break how things are looking for 2026. For 2027 and 202 I guess it’s more of a long run discussion.”
Hyundai gets what it wanted?
This week, the FIA announced the framework for the 2027 WRC technical regulations, which will mark the beginning of a new ten-year homologation cycle. The next-generation top-class cars will be heavily based on Rally2 technology, with a cost cap set at €345,000. Manufacturers will have increased freedom in body design and powertrain configuration.
A crucial point for Hyundai in the new regulations is the freedom to choose the powertrain. Future rally cars can be powered by internal combustion engines, hybrid units, or alternative energy sources such as hydrogen or electric power. When RallyJournal.com reached Abiteboul for comment, the new rules hadn’t yet been published, but it now appears that Hyundai’s wishes have been granted.
“We are still looking to see how we can build some form of connection between this new set of regulations and where we are as a manufacturer committed to new technology, committed to electrification. So it’s not quite what we have yet,” Abiteboul said during Rally Sardinia when discussing Hyundai’s post-2026 outlook.
“We are still working with the FIA to see how we can have at the same time, a platform that is stable in time to justify the investment, but also a platform that can be opened to different sets of architectures, of technology, of energy such that we can find the best possible fit. I’m still hopeful that we can find some solution.”
