Hyundai Motorsport Look to Keep WRC-Lead

Hyundai Motorsport is feeling confident for the fourth round of the World Rally Championship following their victory in Sweden and their second and fourth finishes in Rally Mexico.

Thierry Neuville and his co-driver, Nicolas Gilsoul, are ranked second in the drivers’ and navigator’s championship. The duo successfully finished in Sweden and landed a sixth-place finish in Mexico.

Michel Nandan, team principal of Hyundai Motorsport says: “Tour de Corse offered one of our best results of 2017, but we know that this year’s contest, the first proper tarmac rally of the season, will present brand new challenges,”

“Last year we saw Thierry and Nicolas dominate the event to take our first victory of the season, with Dani (Sordo) in third place. We will be hoping to defend our rally-winning honours and to consolidate our lead in the WRC manufacturers’ championship. We have only a 12-point advantage in the manufacturers’ championship and we are under no illusions,” said Nandan.

The fourth round of the WRC, held on the Corsica Island in the Mediterranean, will be run over twelve timed-tests on demanding routes.

“As a crew you never really get a break,” explains Andreas Mikkelsen. “It’s a continuous corner-to-corner challenge that is equally tough on the car as it is on the driver and co-driver.” Mikkelsen and his co-driver, Anders Jaeger, will be excited at the prospect of a second podium for the season, especially after their third-place finish in Sweden.

Dani Sordo and Carlos del Barrio have the same goal after finishing second in the final round of the Mexican Championship. “I hope we can continue with this level of performance as we move onto the Corsican tarmac,” commented Sordo. “It’s a very physical event. Precise pace notes are crucial for a good performance.”