Thierry Neuville extends with Hyundai

The face of the field for the next season in the World Rally Championship largely depended on its future. Between Citroën, Toyota and his current team Hyundai, Thierry Neuville finally opted for stability by extending his contract for two seasons with the team based in Alzenau, Germany.

The announcement earlier this morning from Citroën Racing, which will be trusted to Stéphane Lefebvre and Craig Breen to support Kris Meeke in 2017 and 2018, had given a first clue about the future of the former driver of the chevron brand.

Last weekend in Corsica, as we mentioned in AUTO issue 2083hebdo, available in digital version and on newsstands, the signing of a new contract with Hyundai seemed to hold the rope for Neuville, but in particular it remained to be known the duration of the contract, ultimately extended to two seasons.

“Even though I had other options available, it seemed to me that the most logical decision was to maintain the momentum we have within this team, comments Neuville. 2017 will be a new era for WRC with the revised regulations.

We have shared some very special moments together since the team's WRC debut. Our first victory together in Germany was one of my career highlights. With a new car next year, and even more ambitious goals, I'm excited for what this next chapter will offer. »

It is with Michel Nandan's structure that the Belgian scored his two WRC successes, in Germany in 2014, for the first season of the i20 WRC, before a victory in Italy this year, even though the native of St Vith played in the Hyundai Motorsport N team, the brand's second team.

The now confirmed extension of Neuville at Hyundai should allow the Korean team to focus on the final stages of the development of the future i20 2017, but also allow Toyota to quickly confirm its plans, Juho Hänninen and Esapekka Lappi being tipped to drive the Yaris from Tommi Mäkinen's team.