Hyundai Motorsport recruits Adrien Fourmaux and Alexandre Coria for the 2025 season

Le rally The Japanese race that took place a few days ago will have been the final world round ofAdrien fourmaux and Alexandre Coria with the team's Ford Puma Rally1 M-Sport. Author of a remarkable 2024 season punctuated by 5 podiums acquired on the three different surfaces of the calendar (Sweden, Safari, Poland, Finland and Japan), the crew quickly appeared as the only ones with a chance of changing colors in the off-season. Desired by the three teams entered in Rally1, Adrien chose to join Hyundai.

Within the team led by Cyril Abiteboul, Fourmaux will have a full program in the same way Thierry Neuville et Ott Tänak. For the Korean manufacturer, this is a small revolution. Indeed, since the beginning of its involvement in WRC in 2014, the 3^e car had always been shared between several drivers. This change is not really a surprise, since Cyril Abiteboul had openly questioned during the year the viability of continuing such a practice in the face of the difficulties encountered by Andreas Mikkelsen or Esapekka Lappi during their appearances. The recruitment of Fourmaux also raises questions about the continuation of the careers of the Norwegian and the Finn.

Given up for lost for the rally at the end of a very complicated 2022 with the Puma Rally1, the former medical student was able to find the right method to get back on track in 2023 before confirming in recent months. Now integrated into one of the two structures playing for the titles, the challenge will be significant, because if he was considered the No. 1 at M-Sport, he will still have to raise his level to make a place for himself alongside his two formidable teammates who will be candidates for the 2025 crown.

« Our approach to the shared third car in 2024 has allowed us to achieve one of the team’s best years in the WRC and I would like to sincerely thank Esapekka, Dani and Andreas for their massive contribution., explained Cyril Abiteboul. For the new challenges of next year, the consistency and stability of all three cars will be crucial. We are therefore delighted to confirm Adrien and Alexandre in our team after their incredible 2024 season. Adrien has impressed not only with the results he has achieved this season, but also with the renewed mindset and attitude he has brought to his return to Rally1. We are confident that our team of Thierry, Ott and Adrien will be a formidable force on tracks around the world in 2025. "For his part, Adrien Fourmaux declared: " I am very excited to join Hyundai Motorsport for the 2025 season. It is a great opportunity for me and Alex, and we are looking forward to starting working with the team. As a driver, you are always looking to improve and push yourself, and this feels like the right step at the right time. Hyundai has had a strong presence in the WRC for years, and I am proud to be part of it for the future. I am ready to give my best and see where this journey takes us. »

This transfer of M-Sport to Hyundai means that history is repeating itself for the English team which does not have the means to retain the best elements as was the case with Sébastien Ogier, Ott Tänak or Elfyn Evans. Aware of the situation, Malcolm Wilson had positive words for his now former crew: " I have been incredibly impressed with Adrien’s performances this year. He has truly shown that he is one of the future stars of our sport. Despite the challenges he has faced so far in his career, he has shown remarkable grit and determination and comes out of each experience stronger than before. His partnership with Alex has helped facilitate the growth we have seen in him and I believe they are a great duo to embark on the next phase of their careers together. They have been an integral part of the M-Sport team for many years and will certainly be missed by everyone here. I look forward to seeing what the future holds for them. »

After a final appearance with the Puma Rally1 at the Monza Rally Show (6-8 December), Adrien Fourmaux will not wait long before settling into the cockpit of an i20 Rally1. Immediately after the Italian show, he will travel to Germany to discover the Korean car before competing in his first event behind the wheel at the Rallye Hivernal du Dévoluy (14-15 December).