{"id":814081,"date":"2024-12-23T01:20:33","date_gmt":"2024-12-23T07:20:33","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/newsycanuse.com\/index.php\/2024\/12\/23\/fourmaux-time-is-right-for-hyundai-wrc-move-after-emotional-m-sport-farewell\/"},"modified":"2024-12-23T01:20:33","modified_gmt":"2024-12-23T07:20:33","slug":"fourmaux-time-is-right-for-hyundai-wrc-move-after-emotional-m-sport-farewell","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/newsycanuse.com\/index.php\/2024\/12\/23\/fourmaux-time-is-right-for-hyundai-wrc-move-after-emotional-m-sport-farewell\/","title":{"rendered":"Fourmaux: Time is right for Hyundai WRC move after emotional M-Sport farewell"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Adrien Fourmaux<\/a> says his sights are set on scoring a maiden World Rally Championship victory next year with Hyundai after completing an emotional M-Sport farewell.<\/p>\n

Fourmaux\u2019s anticipated move to pilot Hyundai\u2019s third i20 N rally entry was announced last week<\/a>, just days ahead of his final outing with M-Sport at the Monza Rally Show last weekend, that celebrated Pirelli\u2019s four-year stint as WRC\u2019s tyre supplier.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Before heading to Monza, Fourmaux made a final trip to M-Sport\u2019s Dovenby Hall headquarters in the UK to say goodbye to the team.\u00a0<\/p>\n

In his final outing in the Ford Puma, after a breakthrough WRC season in which he delivered five podium finishes, Fourmaux and co-driver Alex Coria defeated their new Hyundai team-mate and newly-crowned world champion Thierry Neuville<\/a> by 1.96s to win the Masters Show. Neuville was driving a non-hybrid version of the i20 N ahead of change of regulations for 2025. \u00a0<\/p>\n

\u201cIt has been a really good fun on may last stage with the Puma. It is nice win to mark the end of the hybrid cars, it was a really great event,\u201d Fourmaux told Motorsport.com. \u00a0<\/p>\n

\u201cThis week was the goodbye [to M-Sport]. There was a lot of emotion and a lot of feelings with [team boss] Malcolm [Wilson] and all of the team. All the team were there to say goodbye, that was really nice and there is a lot of memories at this team for me as I have spent five years with the team, so it was quite emotional.\u201d<\/p>\n

\"Andreas <\/picture>\n

Andreas Mikkelsen, Torstein Eriksen, Hyundai World Rally Team Hyundai i20 N Rally1<\/p>\n

Photo by: McKlein \/ Motorsport Images<\/p>\n<\/section>\n

Fourmaux joined up with Hyundai on Monday at the team\u2019s Alzenau base in Germany to begin preparations for next season, which will include driving an i20 N Rally at Rallye National Hivernal du Devoluy in France.\u00a0<\/p>\n

The event will see the Frenchman come up against two-time world champion Kalle Rovanpera, who will be readying himself for his full-time return with Toyota next year. \u00a0<\/p>\n

Reflecting on his decision to join Hyundai, Fourmaux believes that the timing is right for him as he looks to achieve his next target – a first WRC win.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt is new chapter to go with Hyundai for 2025. I think it is the right time and we have shown this year some really positive things, so I think it is the time to go to another level and Malcolm is okay with that, and we had a nice discussion about it together,\u201d he added.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m really pleased to join a world champion team with Thierry this year so we know the team is really capable. It is great challenge for me and I\u2019m really looking forward.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe main goal for next year is to try to get my first victory. We were close this year.\u00a0<\/p>\n

\u201cI think it can come but I will not force it. I will take my time and if it comes then it comes, maybe it will come at somewhere where we don\u2019t expect like our first podium in Sweden. I will do my job and then we will see.\u201d<\/p>\n

The 2025 WRC season begins next month with the annual Monte Carlo Rally curtain raiser from 23-26 January.\u00a0<\/p>\n

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