With only the final round in Japan remaining, Hyundai holds a 15-point lead over Toyota. While the lead is significant, it doesn’t yet guarantee the Korean manufacturer the title. Hyundai has made it clear that 2024 is the year they plan to claim every possible title in the World Rally Championship.
Preparation is certainly not lacking. All Hyundai drivers will have extensive testing opportunities before Toyota’s home rally kicks off in late November.
On Wednesday, Spain’s Rally La Nucia announced on its social media channels that championship leader Thierry Neuville and Hyundai’s third driver Andreas Mikkelsen will compete in the rally, held in the Alicante area from 8–9 November.
Rally La Nucia will feature a total of 11 tarmac stages, covering about 128 kilometres. This gives Hyundai drivers a substantial number of test kilometres in competition conditions.
The event starts on Friday, 8 November, with a nine-kilometre stage run twice. Saturday promises a long day, with nine stages scheduled.
Hyundai’s Estonian star Ott Tänak will also travel to Alicante, though he won’t compete in the actual rally. According to the event organisers, Tänak will participate in the rally’s official test. The Estonian will have plenty of time behind the wheel, with a test day planned for Tuesday, followed by the traditional shakedown stage on Wednesday.
Hyundai’s fourth driver, Dani Sordo, will also continue his season, even though he won’t be competing in Rally Japan. Sordo is set to participate in the Rally Ciudad de Pozoblanco, held on 15–16 November in the Córdoba region.
This will give Sordo at least one more outing in a Rally1 car, as his programme for next season remains uncertain. There are rumours he may transition to a team principal role at Hyundai, which would take him off the competitive driver lineup.
Last season, Toyota achieved a podium sweep at their home rally in Japan, led by Elfyn Evans. Once again, Toyota drivers will need top performances if they hope to reclaim the manufacturers’ title.
The Japanese WRC round will take place from 21–24 November.
