Hyundai’s modified 2025 World Rally Championship automobile will include “some sensible modification” as the screening stage of upgrades continued last weekend.
The Korean producer had actually prepared to homologate a virtually brand new variation of its i20 N Rally1 for next year before strategies were deserted in the middle of unpredictability over the 2025 policies.
Following the FIA’s U-turn on 2025 technical guidelines after pushback from the groups, Hyundai has actually had the ability to restore part of its i20 N advancement prepares thanks to an arrangement to advance its 2026 advancement jokers to be utilized for the 2025 project.
It implies the group has 4 jokers it will use to finish a raft of updates to its vehicle that are yet to be revealed.
Hyundai has actually been evaluating its revised vehicle in current months, with that job continuing at last weekend’s Rally La Nucia-Mediterraneo where champion leader Thierry Neuville was examining a few of the upgrades.
Neuville was signed up with by team-mate Andreas Mikkelsen, who was running s 2024 spec i20 N, as the set likewise logged important asphalt mileage ahead of the season ending in Japan next week. Rally Japan will choose both the motorists’ and producers’ titles with Neuville leading Tanak by 25 points, while Hyundai has a 15-point lead over Toyota.
Hyundai’s WRC program supervisor Christian Loriaulx was tight-lipped on the information of the modifications for next year’s vehicle however hinted that there would be some substantial distinctions.
Thierry Neuville, Martijn Wydaeghe, Hyundai World Rally Team Hyundai i20 N Rally1
Image by: Fabien Dufour/ Hyundai Motorsport
“We do not wish to state excessive what we are providing for next year,” Loriaulx informed Motorsport.com.
“It was a preparation for Japan for Mikkelsen and for Thierry, we are taking a look at some things for next year.
“We have actually sent the homologation documents and it is still in the screening stage however for next year and 2026 we have 4 jokers. I would state we are taking a look at some sensible modification however I can’t state more.
“We remain in the stage of screening it and it is rather hectic as we require to show dependability and gain efficiency.
“We understand that what we will do will lead to a great weight-saving gain however we need to deal with the dependability. We have actually been evaluating it in extremely tough conditions and it has actually been trusted up until now. Now we are dealing with the set-up and will see how it goes.”
Hyundai will when again field full-time entries for Neuville and Ott Tanak next year while its prepare for its 3rd vehicle are anticipated to be revealed following the Japan season ending. M-Sport’s Adrien Fourmaux has actually been greatly tipped to use up the drive.
Hyundai’s future in the WRC beyond 2025 is likewise yet to be verified following the brand name’s relocation into the World Endurance Championship for 2026 under the Genesis banner.