The 2024 WRC will reach its halfway point next week, competing in the Rally Italia Sardegna. Meanwhile, Hyundai can look to the present with a hint of pride.
First in the Constructors’ World Championship after overtaking Toyota Gazoo Racing at the Rally Portugal, but also leading the Drivers’ World Championship with Thierry Neuville and third with Ott Tanak.
At first glance, and on paper, satisfaction should be at the highest levels in Alzenau. For some time now, he hasn’t been in a position in the rankings that allows him to look down on everyone. Instead, the team leaders have concerns and things to resolve as quickly as possible.
There is the i20 N Rally1 which needs updates to catch up with the GR Yaris Rally1 from a performance point of view (Hyundai still has two jokers to spend), but also from the drivers’ point of view there are aspects to be fixed, rough edges to smooth to get to both titles, something never achieved since 2014.
One of these concerns Ott Tanak. The Estonian driver returned to Alzenau this season after just one year in M-Sport. The talent of the 2019 world champion is recognized by all, but he is struggling to express himself at his highest levels. Cyril Abiteboul, team principal of Hyundai Motorsport, explained what is still holding the blond 36-year-old back.
“I’m satisfied with his performance, given that we are opening a seven-rally stint with a similar profile, so the fact that he didn’t always, but on some occasions, feel comfortable with the car shows that we can expect something good from him in the subsequent rounds,” Abiteboul told Motorsport.com.
“Having said that, he has given us a clear indication of what he wants to change and that is what we want too. From an engineering point of view it is good to have a new perspective and a new point of view on what we need to do, and we will try to do that as soon as possible”.
“We have some ideas, there are indeed limitations, but we have some ideas, and we will do some testing in relation to this, and perhaps for the introduction this year.”
“We still have to confirm exactly the two wildcards we want to use for this year, so we have some leeway.”
“What’s interesting is that Thierry was able to get around these limitations and I think in doing so it cost him some speed, and the fact that Ott says he can’t do what Thierry does means there’s something that doesn’t fit in the car. By helping Ott I think he can also help Thierry take a step further.”
Abiteboul believes that Tanak does not suffer from a lack of confidence and commitment and that it is the team’s job to bring out the best in their driver.
“It’s not just about gaining confidence, he doesn’t lack confidence or commitment, but also about finding mechanical solutions that allow him to better understand how the car will react,” concluded Abiteboul.
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