Hyundai reflects on challenging asphalt finale at Rally Japan

Hyundai’s performance at the final asphalt round of the 2026 WRC season fell short of expectations, as the team struggled to match the pace of the dominant Toyotas. Despite recent efforts to refine the i20 N Rally1 for sealed surfaces, the cars suffered from persistent understeer and a lack of grip once the Japanese stages dried out. The team had entered the weekend targeting a podium or at least a fourth-place finish, but those aspirations faded as the rally progressed.

Thierry Neuville, who initially showed promise in damp conditions, became increasingly frustrated with the car's handling, eventually describing it as "undrivable" during the closing stages. Adrien Fourmaux emerged as the top Hyundai finisher in fifth, while Hayden Paddon completed the weekend in seventh. Sporting director Andrew Wheatley acknowledged that the results were disappointing given the team's preparation, though he noted that completing the event without mechanical issues was a positive takeaway.

With the asphalt portion of the calendar now concluded, the drivers expressed relief to be turning their attention back to gravel. The team remains optimistic about its prospects on loose surfaces, where the i20 N has already demonstrated competitive speed earlier this season.