The Korean manufacturer celebrated a victory in Monte Carlo in January. Conditions are now different as the World Rally Championship continues with the Swedish round starting on Thursday.
“Rally Sweden is the only snow event on the calendar, and after the mild conditions at Rallye Monte-Carlo it is the first time we will experience this type of surface since last year. We want to continue the momentum from our victory at the first round,” Abiteboul summarises.
“We know we have the potential with Thierry (Neuville) and Ott (Tänak) based on their wins here previously.”
Hyundai’s Finnish driver Esapekka Lappi returns to action in Umeå. This year, Lappi is focusing more on family life and will only participate in selected rallies.
“It will be Esapekka’s first event since Rally Japan last year and we are excited to see a new lease of life in him as he embarks on his part-time campaign,” Abiteboul says.
For Hyundai, the rally will undoubtedly be emotional, as Craig Breen, who tragically died in a test accident in Croatia last April, was in top form in last year’s Rally Sweden. Breen finished second in the race and was in his element during the stage interviews.
“I could definitely be the mayor of Brattby based on this stage. The car is incredible and goes like on rails. I’ve never felt like this before,” Breen exclaimed, accompanied by a burst of laughter, after setting the fastest time on the Brattby special stage.
This year, Rally Sweden organisers have honoured Breen’s memory by naming a stage after Breen’s number 42 (#42 Brattby).
“Sweden is special for us because of Craig’s podium here last year, so it’s really nice to see his memory honoured in the renaming of Brattby,” Abiteboul states.
“We want the best finish possible, so to end the weekend on the top step is our ultimate aim.”
