Yet another manufacturer is going racing, and is doing so in a big way. Today, Hyundai Motor Company, which has mostly remained on the sidelines with regard to factory motorsports efforts, unveiled the full driver lineup for its two-car assault in the 2014 FIA World Rally Championship (WRC). Headquartered near Frankfurt, Germany, the newly-minted Hyundai Motorsport GmbH will oversee all of the Korean manufacturer's global racing efforts beginning with the WRC program. Could operations expand into other forms of racing over time? Perhaps, but it is interesting to note that according to Hyundai, the racing arm was just formed in December 2012. It might take a few years before any expansion occurs, and the fortunes of the WRC team could impact those plans. In the meantime, this development is definitely good news for those interested in seeing greater manufacturer participation in racing (count us among those people). For full details on Hyundai's 2014 WRC team, the official statement is posted below.
Hyundai Motorsport has unveiled its full team line-up at a special launch event in Offenbach, Germany, as the manufacturer gears up for its debut in the 2014 FIA World Rally Championship at Monte Carlo next month.
Hyundai Motorsport has set realistic targets for its debut season with the primary objective of finishing each rally event with two cars. The young team will approach each rally with the goal of accumulating vital knowledge and data in order to strengthen its foundations for subsequent years. Going up against vastly more experienced WRC competitors, the team knows that it has a steep learning curve, but it certainly relishes the challenge and will be aiming to compete for podium places during the season.
"We have worked tremendously hard to get where we are today and to be able to launch our new WRC team to the world," explains Team Principal of Hyundai Motorsport GmbH, Michael Nandan. "In less than one year. we have built and tested a brand new WRC-specification car, the Hyundai i20 WRC, and established a professional team and modern motorsport facility. It's a huge accomplishment but we know that we have a lot to learn in our first season. Our aims for 2014 are realistic: we want to finish each rally with both cars and build up a database of information and and experience so we can develop ourselves into prospective rally winners in the future. If all goes well, we will hope to be competing for occasional podiums as the year progresses."
The launch event was held at the home of Hyundai Motor Europe in Offenbach, just a short drive from Hyundai Motorsport's facility in Alzenau, where final preparations are taking place for the team's rally debut in just over one month. Over 150 journalists and guests attended the event to see the newly liveried Hyundai i20 WRC and team on display.
The complete line-up for 2014 includes a new title partner, Shell, which will see the team named Hyundai Shell World Rally Team. The multi-year partnership will see Shell Helix-Ultra logos adorn the Hyundai i20 WRC at all WRC events.
"Shell is delighted to be returning to the WRC in 2014 with Hyundai," said Colin Abaham, Shell Vice President Marketing (Fuels and Lubricants). "Shell and Hyundai have worked closely together to deliver a high quality product to consumers around the world for more than eight years. We bring a genuine understanding of each other's strengths to this exciting new team as the Hyundai i20 WRC prepares for its first competitive season."
Thierry Neuville made his first public appearance in Hyundai Motorsport colours as the teams lead driver, while Juho Hänninen, who will drive the second i20 WRC at selected events, was also present. It was also announced that both Dani Sordo and Chris Atkinson will partner Thierry Neuville at several events during the season, with Dani Sordo running on Rallye Monte-Carlo and Atkinson confirmed for Rally Australia.
"I am really excited at the prospect of helping Hyundai Motorsport to integrate itself into the tough WRC environment," said Thierry Neuville. "It is an honour to be representing a manufacturer like Hyundai Motor Company but also to have the extra responsibility of leading the team in our first season. I am looking forward to Monte Carlo. I can already feel the professionalism, motivation and passion of this team so although it will be a steep learning curve, I am sure it will be a positive one."
Hyundai Motor Company also used the occasion of its WRC launch to announce that Hyundai "N" will be used to symbolise Hyundai's high performance technology on both the i20 WRC car and future mass-produced high performance cars. Linked directly to the company's renewed involvement in WRC, "N" brings together Hyundai Motor's technology and innovation with the learning from motorsport to provide a new experience for customers.
Representing the company's passion for high performance, "N" takes inspiration in both name and spirit from the Namyang R&D Centre that has collaborated with Hyundai Motorsport on the development of the i20 WRC. The Namyang R&D Centre is at the heart of the technological innovation and development that serves as the driving force behind Hyundai's growth as a global brand.
Photo courtesy of Hyundai Motor Company
