Hyundai targets gravel performance boost for second half of WRC season

Hyundai Motorsport enters the second half of the WRC season looking to bridge a significant points gap to Toyota Gazoo Racing. Despite securing a victory in Portugal and maintaining a strong hold on second place in the manufacturers' standings, the team has struggled to match the consistent pace of its primary rivals across diverse surfaces, particularly on asphalt.

The first seven rounds highlighted the potential of the i20 N Rally1, with drivers Adrien Fourmaux and Thierry Neuville delivering flashes of brilliance. However, high-profile disappointments, such as losing the lead in Croatia, contrasted with a dominant opening period from Toyota. The team has utilized a rotation of experienced drivers in the third car, including Hayden Paddon, Esapekka Lappi, and Dani Sordo, to bolster their overall points haul.

As the championship shifts focus toward gravel events starting with the Acropolis Rally, Hyundai is recalibrating its approach. The team believes their vehicle package is better suited to loose surfaces, which they hope will provide the stability needed for regular podium finishes. Having secured a morale-boosting win in Portugal, the team aims to transform their intermittent speed into the consistent form required to pressure the leaders for the remainder of the campaign.