Hyundai WRC Team

Hyundai WRC Team (Hyundai Shell Mobis World Rally Team)

Definition and Historical Standing
The Hyundai WRC Team (Hyundai Shell Mobis World Rally Team) is the factory works outfit representing South Korea's Hyundai Motor Company in the World Rally Championship, operated by Hyundai Motorsport and headquartered in Alzenau, Germany. The team made its WRC debut in 2014 with the Hyundai i20 WRC machine and remains the sole Asian factory team in the current WRC paddock. In 2020, Hyundai clinched its maiden WRC Manufacturers' World Championship title, bringing an end to the long-standing championship monopoly held by Toyota and Volkswagen. The 2026 campaign marks Hyundai Motorsport's 13th season in the WRC, with the squad anchoring its assault around five seasoned veteran drivers in a full-tilt bid for the Manufacturers' crown.

2026 Season Driver Line-up
Hyundai is adopting a "2+3" driver roster structure for the 2026 championship. Thierry Neuville and Adrien Fourmaux serve as the full-time drivers, contesting every round across the calendar. Neuville, the 2024 WRC Drivers' World Champion, has been with Hyundai since 2014—with 2026 marking his 13th season alongside co-driver Martijn Wydaeghe. Fourmaux joined Hyundai in 2025, bagging four podiums in his debut season with the team, and has set his sights firmly on claiming his maiden WRC rally victory in 2026.

The third Hyundai i20 N Rally1 machinery is shared among three seasoned veterans on a rotational basis. Dani Sordo pairs up with co-driver Cándido Carrera; boasting two wins and 20 podiums with Hyundai, Sordo's proven prowess on gravel will be vital for the squad's title chase on unpaved stages. Esapekka Lappi partners co-driver Enni Mälkönen; Lappi previously claimed victory for Hyundai at the 2024 Rally Sweden, while Mälkönen, the 2024 WRC2 co-driver champion, stands as the only female co-driver in the premier Rally1 category. Hayden Paddon teams up with co-driver John Kennard, marking his first return to the WRC top flight since 2018 following back-to-back championship triumphs in the European Rally Championship.

2026 Season Racing Performance
In the opening rounds of the 2026 season, Hyundai showed a steady resurgence in pace and competitiveness. At Rally de Portugal, Neuville pulled off a thrilling late comeback to secure his 23rd career WRC victory, handing Hyundai its first win of the season. Fourmaux and Sordo finished fourth and eighth respectively, bagging crucial points towards the Manufacturers' standings. Paddon took third place at Croatia Rally, delivering Hyundai's best tarmac result of the 2026 season and securing his first WRC podium finish since his Rally Argentina win back in 2016. Heading into Rally Paraguay, Hyundai sits second in the Manufacturers' Championship standings, trailing championship leaders Toyota whilst holding the edge over M-Sport Ford.

Technical Specifications and Machinery
Hyundai's 2026 challenger is the Hyundai i20 N Rally1, powered by a 1.6-litre turbocharged engine paired with a 100 kW hybrid system, running on 100% sustainable fossil-free fuel. For the 2026 season, the i20 N Rally1 sports a fresh livery designed in homage to Hyundai's rich global motorsport heritage. As 2026 marks the final year of the current Rally1 technical regulations cycle, Hyundai's decision to rely on proven veteran experience over unproven rookies is a calculated move to maximise stability and points scoring efficiency in the homologation's twilight phase.

Management Structure
Following his appointment in October 2025, Hyundai Motorsport WRC Sporting Director Andrew Wheatley made finalising the 2026 driver line-up his foremost priority. Having previously served an extensive tenure with Toyota's motorsport division, Wheatley's arrival is seen as a key strategic move to bolster the team's sporting management. The team is spearheaded by Team Principal Cyril Abiteboul, with technical operations driven by the in-house engineering crew based at Hyundai Motorsport's Alzenau facility.