At the start of 2023 Neuville was clearly Hyundai’s number one and team modes had already been used in the second phase of the season in Sweden. The initial season is welcomed with a different plan.
“At the start of the season both (Tänak and Neuville) have equal opportunities. The third car of the team will clearly have a supporting role,” Abiteboul announced.
According to Abiteboul, however, the situation will be re-evaluated during the season, and then team solutions can be resorted to. “I won’t go into details, but there will be a moment during the season when we will look at the situation and then we can change the rules. The drivers know this,” said Abiteboul, who will also be president of Hyundai Motorsport from now on.
Tänak and Neuville were part of Hyundai together in 2020-2022. In 2020 and 2022, Tänak was left behind, while Neuville was left behind in 2021. In the second half of 2022, Tänak still had a chance to chase the World Cup title. There was a situation at Rally Greece where the team could have given an advantage to Tänak, who was chasing the title, but it was not done.
“I like to think this is a positive problem. I’d rather have two good drivers and deal with the consequences than have one have to fight against two,” the Hyundai boss said. “Last season we had to fight simultaneously in many cases with Kalle (Rovanperä), (Sebastien) Ogier and (Elfyn) Evans. It was a very difficult task at times.”
“We will have good competition within the team in 2024, but I think it will be a relief for the drivers to know that no one will have to carry a big burden alone,” he added.
The first rally of 2024 will be held from January 25th to 28th in Monte Carlo. Alongside Tänak and Neuville, the third Hyundai car is shared by Esapekka Lappi, Andreas Mikkelsen and Dani Sordo.
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2023-12-25 07:05:41
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