Hyundai Motorsport test driver and part time rally driver, Kevin Abbring, looked wistful before the start of Rally Catalunya. He would like to know what he is going to do next year.
Kevin Abbring in action in Spain this weekend. (Photo: Martin Holmes Rallying)“I want to know that. The fact that Thierry (Neuville) stays with the team isn’t going to help me for next year. That is clear,” he said.
“I am in a position in negotiations with Hyundai for next year which depend on how much they want to keep me as a test driver and how much they want to invest in young drivers. In the end I really hope and I think I deserve at least 10 rallies next year.
“When we started our co-operation a couple of years ago, everyone knew in advance that I would only be doing four or five rallies a year. But each year which passes I am more and more distant in terms of experience (of actual WRC events). The gap always gets bigger.”
Would the idea of a programme for you in WRC2 interest you?
“Yes, if it is a full programme and well prepared, because I think that is really important. Hyundai has the policy, and I share this opinion, of not wanting to compete against our customers.
“To do that is not our philosophy and I think they’re right. We don’t want to be like Skoda. We don’t want us to give ourselves better cars, we want everyone to have the same car. It is not our philosophy to drive against our customers, so I don’t think that is going to happen.”
- Martin Holmes
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