Hyundai offers update on its WRC future dilemma

Hyundai boss Cyril Abiteboul remains optimistic that the brand could continue in the World Rally Championship next year – but has outlined the factors currently preventing it from committing to 2027.   

The Korean marque’s future involvement in the WRC remains a hot topic with the car maker, which will join the World Endurance Championship in 2026 under its Genesis umbrella, but is yet to officially commit to the rallying beyond the end of this year. 

Hyundai has been operating a factory WRC programme since 2014 when it rejoined the championship for a second spell after exiting the category in 2003.

At this stage none of its three WRC drivers Thierry Neuville, Ott Tanak or Adrien Fourmaux are contracted beyond this year as speculation regarding its future persists. 

There have been suggestions that Rally2 could become the top WRC class next year should Hyundai leave at the end of the year. 

However, Abiteboul offered an update on the brand’s future ahead of this weekend’s Rally Portugal, admitting that at this stage he is more optimistic about the team’s involvement in 2026 compared to 2027. 

“The future is becoming more and more the present,” Abiteboul told Motorsport.com.

Cyril Abiteboul, Team principal Hyundai World Rally Team

Photo by: Romain Thuillier / Hyundai Motorsport

“There are two things: there is 2026 and 2027. For 2026, and I think every year there is some business about what we will do the following year, and we had that conversation last year, and here I am standing here at Rally Portugal with three cars competing in front of a nice hospitality building. 

“I want to believe we are in the same situation, and obviously we are monitoring the situation of rally, but I want to believe we will be talking about that next year. That is 2026. For 2027 I cannot share the same optimism.”

The factors preventing Hyundai from committing to 2027

Hyundai has raised concerns over the highly anticipated 2027 WRC technical regulations announced last December that are intended to run for a 10-year cycle. 

As previously reported, WRC27 will feature cars built to a cost cap of €345,000 in a bid to encourage more teams and manufacturers to compete.

The vehicles, featuring space frame chassis constructed by manufacturers and tuners, will be largely based on the current Rally2 machinery. Bodywork from almost any scaled production car can be fitted to the safety cell, meaning that hatchbacks could conceivably compete against saloons and SUVs. 

Hyundai is yet to start any work on developing a car for 2027 with Abiteboul concerned the new regulations do not provide manufacturers the ability to showcase relevant technology. WRC27 cars will be initially powered by internal combustion engines but there is a framework in place to accommodate other powertrains from 2028 onwards.   

“There has been discussion going on for sure, but we see a set of regulations that is making progress, but is still not addressing the bigger picture of issues that I believe and we believe the sport is facing,” Abiteboul added.

Ott Tänak, Martin Järveoja, Hyundai World Rally Team Hyundai i20 N Rally1

Photo by: Fabien Dufour / Hyundai Motorsport

“How can we make the car more exciting for the fans, and how can we make this car a value proposition for the OEM [original equipment manufacturer] to invest. Where is the leadership and what is the long-term vision? 

“If you invest in cars that are supposed to take us for 10 years, and if you look at the car and the level of technology in those cars, and what the world will be looking like in 2036, I don’t think there is a fit between this car and the next 10 years.”

Abiteboul also cited uncertainty over the future of the promotion of the WRC given the championship’s promoter is currently involved in a sale process. 

“We are standing still and right now we are not developing such a car, so for sure every day that is passing is making it more tricky to meet the deadline for 2027,” he said.

“Having said that, we are not saying that we are not ready for 2027 and we would be definitely out of rallying. We could be here for 2028, or even in late 2027, who knows. 

“I think what we are looking for is some form of resolution on what in my opinion is the biggest change which is a long-term committed promoter, and we know there is a process going on in that respect.

“I know this process will take time and I can only regret that there will be a clash in terms of the schedule of this process and the change of technical regulations on the other side.”