Manufacturers’ title remains Hyundai’s priority

With Thierry Neuville long in command of Rally Monte Carlo, Hyundai demonstrated some of the potential of its new i20 Coupe WRC, meeting the new technical regulations for the World Rally Championship introduced this year.

If we expect the Belgian to be one of the main favorites for the Drivers' world title with Sébastien Ogier, Hyundai Motorsport Team Principal Michel Nandan nevertheless reminds that the major objective of his team remains the Manufacturers' crown.

“This is our priority, the Frenchman admits to us. Our three drivers have a different profile. Among them, there are two in particular which are very efficient on asphalt. With the two best cars classified out of the three at the start, this new regulation suits us well.

This does not mean that we will define strategies before departure, but that they are developed during the event. When a driver retires, you have to share the risks knowing that it is important to score points.

A car must absolutely be on arrival. This type of situation is managed throughout the stages depending on the facts of the race. Of course, the potential of the drivers on this or that surface plays a role. »

Third in the Manufacturers' standings after Monte-Carlo, Hyundai intends to bounce back in less than a fortnight in Sweden for the second round of the season, on a field where we hope to find Hayden Paddon. The New Zealander was brilliant last year, playing the leading roles against the future winner Sébastien Ogier.

Find our complete interview with Michel Nandan, in issue 2099 of AUTOhebdo, available now in digital version and on newsstands.