Andrew Wheatley Keeps Faith as Hyundai Chase Toyota in Canary 2026

WRC, Sportrik Media - Andrew Wheatley of Hyundai Motorsport has expressed cautious optimism ahead of Rally Islas Canarias 2026, despite acknowledging the strong competitive position of Toyota Gazoo Racing on asphalt.

Wheatley admitted that the current conditions represent one of the most challenging scenarios for Hyundai’s Rally1 package, particularly due to the cancellation of planned testing in the Canary Islands. As a result, the team has been unable to introduce its full suite of updates, limiting its ability to close the performance gap to Toyota in a rally that emphasizes high-speed asphalt efficiency and precision.

“Honestly, I am reasonably optimistic. We know this is probably the worst-case scenario for our car at the moment. We couldn’t apply all the updates because our test was cancelled, which is disappointing, but not dramatic,” Wheatley told Rallit.fi.

Baca JugaSebastien Ogier Soroti Duel Internal Toyota di Canary 2026

He emphasized that Hyundai’s approach is not centered on fundamentally altering the car’s characteristics, but rather on optimizing performance within specific operating windows that better suit its current package.

“Our intention is not to change the entire character of the car. We know the car is quick within a certain speed range, but this rally does not fall within that range,” he explained.

Despite the evident deficit, Wheatley identified positive signs from Thursday’s shakedown, particularly highlighting the performance of Dani Sordo, who quickly reacclimated to the Rally1 machinery after a period away from top-level competition.

“Dani had a very positive morning, exactly what we wanted. Even though it’s been a while since he last drove a Rally1 car, he got straight back into it and reintegrated with the team. He remains an important figure for us and can support the others,” Wheatley added.

Wheatley acknowledged that Hyundai enters the weekend without expectations of outright victory, instead focusing on maintaining proximity to Toyota and capitalizing on any opportunities that may arise during the rally.

“I think everyone understands that we don’t have big expectations for this weekend. The objective is to be right behind Toyota, and if they encounter problems, we want to be in a position to fight,” he stated.

He also pointed to the potential impact of intra-team competition within Toyota, where five competitive entries are likely to push each other intensively for the lead, potentially increasing the risk of errors.

“We need to keep all options open. The most important thing is that we avoid mistakes. With five Toyota cars fighting at the front, that creates its own pressure,” Wheatley said.

“They are in a situation where they have to beat their own team-mates. That can create opportunities for us this weekend.”

Hyundai’s strategy for Rally Islas Canarias is therefore centered on consistency, execution, and minimizing errors in a scenario where outright pace remains a limitation. As the rally progresses through its key stages, the extent to which Hyundai can capitalize on any disruption within Toyota’s internal battle will be critical in shaping the final outcome of the event.