The Hyundai Motorsports World Rally Championship team celebrate a total of 17 wins and 63 podium finishes between 2017 and 2021.
Speaking about the end of an era, Hyundai Motorsports Andrea Adamo said:
We are reaching the conclusion of a very special period of WRC for Hyundai Motorsport, one in which we are incredibly proud to have played a major part. We can look back at the introduction of those 2017 regulations and recognise the important role they had in defining this epoch of WRC. For our team, everyone at Hyundai Motorsport in Alzenau, our partners, our crews and our fans, these five years have allowed us to compete at the very highest level, to take our performances up a gear, and twice to prove our title-winning credentials. We have experienced every emotion possible: magic moments, close battles, celebrations, commiserations, tense Power Stages, challenges, heartbreak, and euphoria – these are memories that will live with us forever. We have poured a huge amount of energy and effort into developing our Hyundai i20 Coupe WRC to compete – and triumph – on the world’s toughest stages. We come to each rally to win; we might not achieve that all the time, but we can honestly say, hand on heart, that we have given it our best shot. That fighting spirit will stay with us as we embrace the new Rally1 era – a new chapter for WRC and for Hyundai Motorsport.”
Thierry Neuville commented on the success of Hyundai saying:
“I am pretty sure we have lived through one of the best eras in WRC over the past five years because these cars have been super exciting to drive and watch. The competition has been so close with all teams on a similar level of competition. We have taken two manufacturers’ titles in 2019 and 2020, we had a strong car and could fight for victory on all terrains. Since its first rallies in 2017, the car has evolved a lot; it is much faster than it was at the beginning, and the team has worked hard to get it as strong as it is now. I have enjoyed these past five seasons, especially the winning moments. At the same time, I always like something new, and a fresh challenge is coming.”
Ott Tänak said:
I’m lucky to have been able to drive so many different cars during this generation of WRC. They will go down in history as one of the best, I think. Driving these cars, with their aero, the general stability and the emotion that it gives you, it’s been pure fun and we will miss them. To get the title, you need the full technical package because we meet so many different elements during the season: snow, tarmac, mud, and gravel. It’s not easy to develop a car that can work in all of these conditions, but these have not been designed for one surface alone, it’s been possible to drive them everywhere.”
Dani Sordo said:
“I have been very lucky to drive all of the different types of world rally car, but this latest generation has been amazing; how the cars work and perform in the stages is incredible and I think we will miss this philosophy a bit. The aesthetics of this generation of car have made them wider, with advanced aerodynamics and a more aggressive look. From the outside, as a spectator, it is nice to watch these cars but also inside the cockpit, they have been enjoyable to drive; you can push really hard. Having said that, I am sure the new ones will be fast, because over the years the way the cars have evolved to become better and better with each season.
Craig Breen said:
“I will be forever grateful to have been part of this generation of WRC; it has been something very special and we’ve had some amazing moments. The regulations we have had since 2017 have probably provided us with the ultimate rally car, and it’s been getting better each year. The level is mind blowing. In terms of technology and pure performance, there is nothing on this planet like these cars. On the fast gravel events particularly, with the aero improvements, you can do things your mind can’t understand. Being part of the adventure with Hyundai Motorsport, getting two manufacturers’ championship titles, has been a real pleasure and will be among my most cherished memories. It’s really an honour to have been part of that.”