Home

Hyundai looking long term to complete WRC driver line-up

Dani Sordo won't contest all of the remaining World Rally Championship events as Hyundai is looking for a long-term option to deputise for the late Craig Breen.

Hyundai signed Breen to share its third factory i20 N alongside veteran Sordo this season. The latter has been a mainstay of the squad since the marque's return to the WRC in 2014, moving to a part-time role in 2018.

Sordo was announced to pilot the third car at this weekend's Rally Portugal before Breen's tragic passing while testing for the fourth round of the championship in Croatia last month.

The team revealed last week that the Spaniard will also compete in the next round in Sardinia next month, but plans for the third car are yet to be announced.

Team principal Cyril Abiteboul told Autosport that the team is assessing its options regarding its driver line-up, with a focus on the long-term future a key variable.

"One thing that I can confirm is that Dani will not be doing all of the rallies and our line-up will be announced in due course and is in the process of being built," said Abiteboul.

"We are looking into it but it is too early to make a particular announcement. The only thing I can say is that we are not just looking into this year we are looking at where we want to be next year and the year after that.

"I don't want to see the exercise that we have to do in a very unfortunate circumstance as a gap filling exercise. I want to see that as a strategic decision for the team and for the company.

"We have got hope and expectation to be here for the long term, that is why we can only look at this question of driver line-up for the remainder of this season with the perspective of a long-term impact on the team."

Source: Autosport

Previous

Next