The cancellation of Rally Australia ensured that Hyundai Motorsport won its maiden FIA World Rally Championship manufacturers’ title*, a major milestone for the company that was formed from a blank sheet of paper just seven years ago.
As the team prepares to regroup at its motorsport headquarters in Alzenau next week, to celebrate its inaugural title with all members of the team, there are already preparations in place for the 2020 season.
Team Director Andrea Adamo, and the team drivers Neuville, Sordo, Mikkelsen, Loeb and Breen, talk about the positives the team can take forward from a title-winning season – and yet more work still to come.
Andrea, just how special is this result for you?
Andrea Adamo: “It is a personal satisfaction to see that somehow hard work always pays off; believing in your targets is the only way to bring this kind of result home. That determination is absolutely fundamental and represents the meaning of this title for me. When I became Team Director, I picked up the mantle from others who had laid solid foundations. This title represents the work of a lot of people before me, who had done a great job that needed some refinement.” How do you rate the achievement considering the high level of competition among WRC manufacturers?
Adamo: “To win a World Championship is the highest career point of anyone involved in motorsport and it’s certainly a great satisfaction for everyone working at Hyundai Motorsport, absolutely every single person in the company. Never before this season had everyone in the company been so focused to do well, both in our WRC and Customer Racing activities. Each individual has their unique fingerprint on this result.Where does the team go from here?
Adamo: “Once we return to Alzenau from Australia, we will have the opportunity to share and celebrate this result with everyone. Then our next steps will be to continue the development of the car, do some testing and participate in some extra events to be fully prepared for 2020. We have Rallye du Var with Sébastien Loeb; we will have some gravel development testing as well as the first part of pre-event test for Monte-Carlo. There is no such thing as a winter break, if we want to defend our title in 2020.”Thierry, Hyundai Motorsport has come close to the manufacturers title before, what were the key factors in making 2019 the year when it happened?
Thierry Neuville: “Firstly, we have continuously developed our car throughout the whole season. I had a consistently fast car on all surfaces, which was one of the key things for our success. I also had strong teammates; Andreas finished fourth in the championship, Dani secured important points during the season and having Sébastien was also very helpful. They all gave me such great support in the drivers’ title battle.” What have been your personal highlights along the way?
Neuville: “The early years were a bit up and down, and were very demanding for the whole team as we found our footing in WRC. I really enjoyed the challenge and no-one gave up. We fought hard and knew the title would come one day. It took time but we were the leading team this year and held on to our ambition. We defended when we needed to and increased our lead after Spain to get the job done.”Dani, you’ve been with the team since 2014, what are your feelings on clinching the title?
Dani Sordo: “I am really happy to have played a part in this title, and to share it together with the team. We were waiting a bit longer than we would have wanted but this year we have really been in command throughout the season, so it’s a great result, hard fought and well deserved.”Have there been any particular highlights over the years?
Sordo: “There have been many good memories from over the years, so many in fact it is difficult to choose just one. Every time we have stepped on the podium, or secured victory – as Carlos and I did this year in Sardinia – it has been a special moment. This result gives us lots to build on for the future.” Craig, what are your thoughts on having been part of the Hyundai Motorsport team this season?
Craig Breen: “It’s been a nice experience for me and Paul (Nagle, co-driver). It was an unexpected call-up, certainly not something we had envisaged at the start of the year, but it was a big pleasure. I really enjoyed doing the two rallies we contested (Rally Finland and Wales Rally GB), and to be part of everyone’s dream of winning the manufacturers’ title. It is a big reward for everybody who has worked so hard towards this moment.”Andreas, what are your thoughts on the manufacturers’ title?
Andreas Mikkelsen: “Everyone in the team fully deserves to be crowned manufacturers’ champions this season. We have had a competitive year, with a versatile and consistently quick car on all surfaces, strong teamwork and sheer determination to get the job done. Personally, Anders and I had some good results; to finish fourth in the drivers’ championship shows the contribution we have made.” Sébastien, your first season as a Hyundai Motorsport driver, how was it from your perspective?
Sébastien Loeb said: “My role was focused only a specific number of events but I have to say I was impressed by the approach of the team, and the performance of the Hyundai i20 Coupe WRC. Our podium in Chile was a good result for Daniel and myself. More importantly than any individual result, I think the team has shown complete dedication and commitment to securing the title. Credit to them for a fantastic achievement. We can look to 2020 with even greater targets but first we have Rallye du Var next week.”
*subject to the official publication of the results by the FIA
SUBSCRIBE BELOW TO READ THE FULL STORY
RallySport Magazine Subscription
Select Subscription Level
Select Subscription Length
Recurring Subscription Cost
A subscription to RallySport Magazine give you access to all our rally
content from Australia, New Zealand and around the world – with news,
features and experiences nobody can match.
Our team are dedicated to providing an unrivalled experience which
shares, supports and promotes the sport of rallying.
By clicking "Subscribe Now" you agree to receive news, offers and updates on RallySport Magazine.
If you do not wish to receive marketing communications, you can update your preferences in My Account.
We will commence charging your payment method after the 7 day free trial expires.
If you cancel after expiry of your trial, cancellation will take effect from the end of your current monthly subscription period.
You will not be refunded any fees paid to RallySport Magazine unless otherwise set out in the terms and conditions.
Account Created!
Welcome to RallySport Magazine VIP Membership.
Get ready for your rally news experience to completely transform.
Start browsing news, exclusive VIP content or check out your account.
by
Thierry, Hyundai Motorsport has come close to the manufacturers title before, what were the key factors in making 2019 the year when it happened?
Thierry Neuville: “Firstly, we have continuously developed our car throughout the whole season. I had a consistently fast car on all surfaces, which was one of the key things for our success. I also had strong teammates; Andreas finished fourth in the championship, Dani secured important points during the season and having Sébastien was also very helpful. They all gave me such great support in the drivers’ title battle.”
What have been your personal highlights along the way?
Neuville: “The early years were a bit up and down, and were very demanding for the whole team as we found our footing in WRC. I really enjoyed the challenge and no-one gave up. We fought hard and knew the title would come one day. It took time but we were the leading team this year and held on to our ambition. We defended when we needed to and increased our lead after Spain to get the job done.”
Dani, you’ve been with the team since 2014, what are your feelings on clinching the title?
Dani Sordo: “I am really happy to have played a part in this title, and to share it together with the team. We were waiting a bit longer than we would have wanted but this year we have really been in command throughout the season, so it’s a great result, hard fought and well deserved.”
Have there been any particular highlights over the years?
Sordo: “There have been many good memories from over the years, so many in fact it is difficult to choose just one. Every time we have stepped on the podium, or secured victory – as Carlos and I did this year in Sardinia – it has been a special moment. This result gives us lots to build on for the future.”
Craig, what are your thoughts on having been part of the Hyundai Motorsport team this season?
Craig Breen: “It’s been a nice experience for me and Paul (Nagle, co-driver). It was an unexpected call-up, certainly not something we had envisaged at the start of the year, but it was a big pleasure. I really enjoyed doing the two rallies we contested (Rally Finland and Wales Rally GB), and to be part of everyone’s dream of winning the manufacturers’ title. It is a big reward for everybody who has worked so hard towards this moment.”
Andreas, what are your thoughts on the manufacturers’ title?
Andreas Mikkelsen: “Everyone in the team fully deserves to be crowned manufacturers’ champions this season. We have had a competitive year, with a versatile and consistently quick car on all surfaces, strong teamwork and sheer determination to get the job done. Personally, Anders and I had some good results; to finish fourth in the drivers’ championship shows the contribution we have made.”
Sébastien, your first season as a Hyundai Motorsport driver, how was it from your perspective?
Sébastien Loeb said: “My role was focused only a specific number of events but I have to say I was impressed by the approach of the team, and the performance of the Hyundai i20 Coupe WRC. Our podium in Chile was a good result for Daniel and myself. More importantly than any individual result, I think the team has shown complete dedication and commitment to securing the title. Credit to them for a fantastic achievement. We can look to 2020 with even greater targets but first we have Rallye du Var next week.”
*subject to the official publication of the results by the FIA
