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Hyundai drivers express relief as the asphalt WRC season wraps up, following another disappointing performance at Rally Japan. This season, they consistently struggle against a dominant Toyota team, which showcased its prowess with the GR Yaris.
Hyundai's challenges with the i20 N continue, as they fall short of expectations set after Toyota's 1-2-3-4 finish in the Canary Islands. Despite a glimmer of hope when Thierry Neuville held fourth place in damp conditions, the team faced familiar issues as the stages dried. Neuville finished sixth, 38.8 seconds behind his teammate Adrien Fourmaux, who took fifth but was still 2m34.8 seconds off the lead.
Neuville reflects on the season's struggles, stating, “We don’t even need to compare ourselves to Toyota, there is no comparison.” He notes a loss of power and performance due to changes in tire and hybrid technology. Fourmaux shares similar frustrations, feeling the pressure to compete with Toyota but relieved to shift focus to gravel rallies.
As the WRC season transitions to seven consecutive gravel events, beginning with Acropolis Rally Greece, Hyundai hopes to capitalize on past successes and regain momentum, having already secured a gravel victory in Portugal this year.
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