Cyril Abiteboul appointed director of Hyundai Motorsport

The question has been asked since the departure of Andrea Adamo in December 2021. Who would take the place of the charismatic Italian?

Throughout last season, several names were put forward: Yves Matton (former general director of Citroën Racing), Petter Solberg (world champion WRC 2003 with Subaru), Davide Brivio (former Suzuki manager in MotoGP passed at Alpine en F1), via Eric Boullier (former sports director McLaren in F1).

But all these more or less vague leads vanished as quickly as they were launched. It was different with Cyril Abiteboul since he had confirmed at the beginning of December that there were indeed discussions in this direction. A little over a month later, the Frenchman has just been inducted as the new boss of this structure located in Alzenau not far from Frankfurt (Germany). During this interminable one-year transition period, the team was managed by Julien Moncet.

Head of the engine department, the engineer never received the deserved recognition from his employers, always being kept at the status of “deputy”. Under his leadership, Hyundai has, however, once again become a team capable of winning after a start to the season weighed down by a hybrid Rally1 lacking in development.

With 5 successes, 2022 was also the most prolific year since the manufacturer's commitment to the WRC in 2014. The first hat-trick signed in rally of the Acropolis (Greece) and even more the double in Japan, on the lands of Toyota, will remain great moments for the Korean brand. However, this was not enough for Moncet to be tenured and the latter will now be confined to the future technologies department.

Cyril Abiteboul will be on deck next week at Monte-Carlo (January 19-22) / © Hyundai Motorsport

Into the deep end next week

By accepting this position, Cyril Abiteboul, former general manager of Renault Sport then team principal of Renault F1 Team between 2016 and 2020, did not take the easy route, he who will discover the world of rallying this season.

Indeed, the inertia of leaders and the lack of clear decisions created distrust and a deplorable atmosphere which resulted in the departure of several important people, including Ott Tänak, 2019 WRC world champion. Abiteboul will have to find solutions to remobilize his troops. He will be helped in this by talented men like Thierry Neuville or Christian Loriaux.

« I am relishing the opportunity to join Hyundai Motorsport as Team Principal from 2023, said Abiteboul. In motorsport, as in the rest of its activities, the Hyundai brand is cautiously building its leadership.

I am excited to be a part of it, managing the WRC and Customer Racing programs, where the team has already proven itself to be a strong contender. I look forward to immersing myself in the rally community and discovering more about this spectacular sport.

Hyundai provided me with all its support to ensure a smooth transition to this role. I can't wait to get started. »

After leaving Renault at the start of 2021, the 45-year-old French engineer collaborated with Mecachrome, joined the HCVC investment fund dedicated to high-tech start-ups, and worked for the company CDK Technologies specializing in the manufacturing of sailboats. for offshore racing did not choose the easy way out. Abiteboul has always made it known that he wanted to return to the world of automobiles.

In his new responsibilities, the Frenchman will very quickly be launched into the deep end since the 2023 World Rally Championship opens next week with the formidable Monte-Carlo Rally (January 19-22).