Hyundai Motorsport is currently engaged in discussions regarding a potential expansion of its team with the possibility of fielding a fourth car in the 2025 WRC season.
The strategic consideration comes as the team aims to enhance its competitiveness and solidify its position in the championship particularly as it prepares for the season finale at Rally Japan where key decisions regarding its future will likely be made.
The current WRC season has seen the team field three updated i20 N Rally1 machines driven by prominent drivers including Thierry Neuville and Ott Tänak.
Neuville who is in contention for his first WRC title holds a significant lead going into the final rally while Hyundai also contends for the manufacturers’ championship against rival Toyota. The stakes are high, with both titles within reach, making this an opportune moment for the team to evaluate its long-term strategies.
Hyundai’s management will be present at Rally Japan to discuss not only the immediate challenges of the event but also the broader implications of expanding their team for 2025 WRC.
The addition of a fourth car could provide several advantages including increased data collection during rallies and greater visibility in a highly competitive environment.
More cars on the track would allow Hyundai to gather diverse performance data, which can be crucial in fine-tuning their cars for varying conditions encountered throughout the season.
The potential expansion also opens up opportunities for new talent within the team. Currently, Hyundai has a strong lineup, but the introduction of a fourth car could allow for more drivers to participate at a full-time level.
This could include emerging talents or seasoned drivers looking for a competitive platform. The prospect of nurturing new talent aligns with the team’s commitment to fostering growth within motorsport while maintaining a competitive edge against established teams like Toyota and Ford.
“We are close with our 2025 WRC plans but after Rally Japan that announcement will be coming,” team principal Cyril Abiteboul told Motorsport.com.
“We have said to all crews that we want to draw a line after this season, which has been a good season, and look at next year and the ambition of that and discuss that.
“We have some people coming from Hyundai’s headquarters this weekend at Rally Japan so that will also be an opportunity for them to be part of the discussion and come to certain conclusions for next year about the set-up, drivers and cars.
“I still have the ambition that we could have a fourth car in our line-up and that is one of the discussions we will have over the course of this weekend and that could have an impact on our driver choices.”
While plans for 2025 WRC are still in preliminary stages, industry insiders suggest that Hyundai is keen on making strategic decisions that will bolster its performance in upcoming seasons.
The logistics of managing an additional vehicle—such as engineering support and financial considerations—are critical factors that Hyundai’s management must weigh carefully. However, the potential benefits of increased competitiveness and enhanced brand visibility are compelling motivations for pursuing this expansion.
The sport is evolving rapidly with new regulations and technologies shaping how teams approach their strategies. The 2025 WRC season will see significant changes including the removal of hybrid power from Rally1 cars prompting teams to adapt their vehicles accordingly.
As Hyundai prepares for these changes, having an expanded lineup could provide them with a strategic advantage in developing their cars and optimizing performance under new regulations.
As the team contemplates this significant step forward in its WRC campaign, it must balance its ambitions with practical considerations regarding current commitments and performance levels.
While expanding its fleet could provide numerous benefits, ensuring that any decision made does not compromise the quality of performance or focus that has characterized their success thus far is paramount.
