Hyundai, among others, has already begun testing with an eye on next season, trialling new parts that will be included in the 2025 car.
Thierry Neuville conducted one test before the Central European WRC Rally, but Hyundai team principal Cyril Abiteboul revealed that testing had already begun before that.
“It’s not the first test, by the way. We’ve been testing in the background,” Abiteboul disclosed.
“We’ve been busy. This isn’t a new car, but rather the current car with the jokers we’re permitted to use, in agreement with the FIA. It’s a decent step forward, moving in the right direction, but there’s a lot of setup work needed,” Abiteboul praised.
Throughout the season, Abiteboul has remarked that Hyundai’s car has proven tricky in certain conditions. Drivers Thierry Neuville and Ott Tänak have also voiced occasional dissatisfaction with the car.
“We need to be careful because we have a car here that has weakness and weak points. And, but that we know extremely well. So we know how to work around these weaknesses,” Abiteboul admitted.
Abiteboul has previously stated that the team understands what it needs to improve next year, though, of course, implementing changes is always another matter entirely.
“We need to make sure that when we trade that to a car with different elements, we don’t trade that for something that knowing it less, we have less authority, less understanding on it. So we need to make sure that the overall package is faster than the current one,” Abiteboul noted.
“We also need to be pragmatic in that in that instance, not to be too, too arrogant and too confident about our ability. In reality, there is lots of things that you don’t totally control,” Abiteboul reminded.
Hyundai drivers also tested the new parts last weekend in Spain at the Rally La Nucia. Neuville drove without the hybrid unit, as Rally1 cars will no longer utilise hybrid units next year.
The final round of the 2024 World Rally Championship season will take place next week in Japan.
