Hyundai has been a fixture in the WRC's top class since 2014, but their future in the world rally championship is once again a major question mark. Speculation about the Korean manufacturer potentially withdrawing from the pinnacle of rallying has almost become an autumn tradition in recent years. This time, however, the signs feel more tangible than ever before.
Rumors suggest Hyundai might no longer field an official factory team in the WRC next season. The WRC's technical regulations will undergo a drastic overhaul in 2027 with the introduction of WRC27 cars, and so far, there are no indications Hyundai is developing a car for those new rules. Instead, the manufacturer has chosen to focus aggressively on developing their Rally2 car, which is believed to be capable of fighting for outright WRC victories.
Andrew Wheatley, Hyundai WRC's sporting director, admitted that a major decision is still hanging in the balance. "I'm convinced we'll have Rally2 cars competing in WRC next year. But that could be in any form," he told RallyJournal. "I think at the moment we have to keep a very open mind. No decisions have been made. But obviously step by step, we can start to get more information and that will help us to understand what next year looks like."
The lack of clarity regarding next season's sporting regulations is the root cause. Next year will see three types of cars competing: WRC27, Rally2 equipped with the Rally2 WRC Kit upgrade package, and standard Rally2 cars. These cars will be closely matched technically, promising fierce competition. However, how will they be separated from one another in the classification? How, for instance, will the running order be determined on gravel rallies? These are among the questions Hyundai still wants answered before making any moves.
"We have a new technical regulation next year. So WRC27, Rally2, Rally2 Kit. We need to understand how they fit together as a championship. And then we need to understand how Hyundai as a team can fit into that championship," Wheatley stressed. "We know we cannot do a WRC27 car in five months. We know that we are working very hard on a new Rally2 to make sure we have the most competitive Rally2 car we possibly can for the start of next year. The question is to understand how we can fit that into our plans to expand our customer racing activities and where that will fit in the pyramid of the WRC."
Once these key questions are answered, Hyundai WRC team management can begin discussions with the Korean manufacturer's board. Ultimately, Hyundai's senior management will decide the fate of its WRC team. "We have plenty of options. Now it's a question of understanding the exact sporting format so we can make a clear presentation," Wheatley said.
This year, Hyundai has been unable to challenge Toyota for the manufacturers' championship. Toyota has the opportunity to seal the title early, leaving Hyundai to settle for a fight with M-Sport Ford for runner-up honors. This situation adds further pressure on Hyundai's leadership to reassess their commitment to the WRC.
With all this uncertainty, rally fans worldwide will be hoping Hyundai provides clarity soon. Hyundai's decision will not only determine the future of their factory team but also impact the balance of power in the WRC for years to come.
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