Among others, Autosport magazine has reported, citing its sources, that Hyundai’s possible entry into the WEC series would also mean that the team might leave the World Rally Championship.
Hyundai’s departure would naturally be a major blow to the WRC, as the Korean manufacturer is currently, alongside Toyota, the only full-fledged factory team.
“I have not followed that discussion at all. I probably need to ask myself what’s going on,” commented Esapekka Lappi, who competes for Hyundai.
However, Lappi does not believe that a possible participation in the WEC would mean that Hyundai would leave rallying.
“If they are reportedly going to the WEC, I do not think it means that this will end. The team next door is running both,” Lappi said, referring to Toyota.
Car manufacturers participate in various motorsport series primarily for marketing purposes. Each manufacturer, of course, weighs where they get the best visibility for their product.
“I don’t know what the Hyundai management is thinking. This is obviously marketing, and if they see a big potential in the WEC, then they will go there. We will see whether the rally side suffers from it or not,” Lappi pondered.
Hyundai’s star driver Thierry Neuville is on the same page as Lappi.
“I think you can do both. And at some point they probably will do both. Hopefully. But at the moment it’s hard to express,” Neuville said.
“I want somehow to continue, but I want to continue in good conditions, and for me, it’s important to have a strong team and and still invest all the efforts into the WRC. That would be one of the key conditions as well to carry on,” Neuville continued.
World Endurance Championship is a circuit racing motorsport class. The series includes the legendary 24 Hours of Le Mans endurance race. Over the years, numerous former F1 drivers and rally drivers have been seen at Le Mans.
