Hyundai faces the unknown at Rally Japan

Canceled in 2020 and 2021, the Rally of Japan makes its grand return to the calendar for the first time since 2010 and the victory of the duo Sébastien Ogier-Julien Ingrassia avec Citroën. Depuis, l’épreuve nippone a bien changé puisqu’elle se dispute intégralement sur asphalte cette année où Hyundai veut bien figurer pour sa première sur place.

Advancing into the unknown on Japanese soil, the South Korean team wants to quickly get “in tune” in order to be involved in victory from the start. However, managers and drivers alike know that the task will not be easy for them as they lack guidance on the roads of this 2022 Rally of Japan.

« New country, new rally, new adventure. Apart from knowing that there will only be paved stages, we have no idea what awaits us, warns Thierry Neuville. This obviously makes the preparation a little more difficult, but most of the time I did better when the rally was new than when it was a rally I already knew. We always want to finish in the best possible place at the end of the season, because it gives you a good feeling before the winter break and helps motivate you for the following year. So the goal will be to give the best of ourselves, get the most out of the car and see where we end up."

Tänak – Hyundai, end of story

This Rally of Japan will also mark the last appearance ofOtt Tänak under the colors of Hyundai. After three years of collaboration, the two parties have decided to take different directions for the next season. In the land of the rising sun, the Estonian wants to offer a nice parting gift to his bosses even if he has not been on the same wavelength for several months.

« After three years with Hyundai Motorsport, this will be my last event with them, so hopefully we can find a good feeling on the roads and finish the season and our partnership on a good note. » À Ott Tänak de se montrer d’entrée pour ne pas se faire rapidement distancer par les Toyota qui comptent bien briller à la maison.

ALSO READ > Ott Tänak leaves Hyundai… what now?