With the arrival of Abiteboul at Hyundai, Neuville aims for both titles in 2023

After several months of doubts and uncertainties surrounding the position of Team Principal at Hyundai, the fog has finally cleared: Cyril Abiteboul takes over the reins of the Korean team. A new challenge for someone who has spent more than 20 years in the world of Formula 1 with Renault and Caterham. The position having been left vacant during the 2022 season – occupied de facto by Julien Moncet, then deputy director at Hyundai – the arrival of the Frenchman also represents a breath of fresh air for the structure based in Alzenau (Germany). For the management of the Korean brand, but also for the drivers. Leader of the team and present at Hyundai since his return in WRC, in 2014, Thierry Neuville welcomes its director level with great enthusiasm.

The Belgian believes that the recruitment of Cyril Abiteboul does not change its objectives for 2023 in any way. “We repeat it every year: we want to win both [constructors’ and drivers’] championships., he declared for the official WRC website. Unfortunately the last two seasons we weren't able to get any, but there was a bit of a change between last year and this year. We have new teammates, and we also have a new team manager with Cyril joining the team. Hopefully, together, these changes will bring us improvements and that we will be able to fight for both championships. This is clearly the objective. »

Neuville relies on Abiteboul’s F1 experience to progress

In 2022, internal tensions at Hyundai, combined with the lack of sluggish performance at the start of the season from the i20 N Rally1, were the main causes of the defeat against Toyota in the championship. In 2023, the Korean manufacturer wants to relaunch on new bases, while maintaining the momentum from the end of last season – with 4 victories in the last 6 rallies.

Thierry Neuville will be the sole leader of the team following the departure ofOtt Tänak in M-Sport. The one who is still chasing his first world title hopes that his new relationship with Abiteboul can allow him to take this step. “Hopefully we will have some discussions to give our visions of what happened and what we hope to achieve, and also what his vision is with his experience of Formula 1 and the management of teams even bigger than Hyundai. » Freed from tension and determined to lead his team to the top, the Belgian will undeniably be a man to follow this season.

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