The team claimed its first-ever drivers’ and co-drivers’ titles when Thierry Neuville and Martijn Wydaeghe were crowned champions. However, the manufacturers’ championship slipped away on the final day of the season in Japan. Ott Tänak’s crash and Toyota drivers’ strong performance on the concluding Power Stage secured the title once again for Toyota.
Cyril Abiteboul, who heads Hyundai’s WRC team and its entire motorsport division, believes that the historic drivers’ championship has brought the team extra motivation.
“It’s a great feeling to be returning to the World Rally Championship with a drivers’ championship title to our name. This success has definitely given the whole team some fresh confidence coming into 2025, as this year we have some different goals to work towards,” Abiteboul hinted, referring to a manufacturers’ title push.
The new season kicks off this week in traditional style with the Rally Monte Carlo. Abiteboul emphasises the importance of patience, noting that not every rally in a long season requires a fight for victory.
“While all our crews have their own individual goals, as a team we will be working to bring home as many points as possible for our manufacturers’ efforts; Monte Carlo is just the first of 14 rounds this year, and we are hoping to get the year started with plenty of positivity,” Abiteboul summarised.
Monte Carlo has been a successful event for Hyundai in recent years, with Neuville taking victories last season and in 2020.
“Thierry and Martijn travel to Monte Carlo looking to defend their victory from last year, Ott and Martin will get back in the car with the same kind of determination they had last year, and we welcome some fresh talent to the team with our new arrivals Adrien Fourmaux and Alexandre Coria,” Abiteboul said, praising his drivers.
“It will not be easy with the new regulations, tyres, unpredictable weather and Toyota’s full-strength return, but with more consistency this year we are hoping to take our contention to the next level.”
The Rally Monte Carlo begins on Thursday with three special stages run in the dark. The rally, which ends on Sunday, includes a total of 18 stages covering over 340 kilometres.
