Neuville Asserts: “Hyundai Has Not Made a Final Decision on WRC Yet!”

Uncertainty Looms Over Hyundai’s Future in WRC

The world of rally racing is in turmoil after Thierry Neuville asserted that “Hyundai has not made a final decision on WRC yet!”. As one of the most dominant teams in the World Rally Championship (WRC), Hyundai Motorsport’s potential withdrawal or shift in focus could send shockwaves through the sport.

For fans, drivers, and industry insiders, this statement raises several critical questions:

Will Hyundai continue its WRC commitment beyond 2025?
What factors are influencing their decision?
How would their exit impact drivers like Thierry Neuville?
Is Hyundai shifting toward a new rally or motorsport venture?

As the WRC battles with evolving regulations, financial constraints, and growing competition from rival manufacturers, Hyundai’s decision could be a defining moment for the championship. Let’s break down what Neuville’s statement really means, how Hyundai Motorsport is navigating its future, and what this could mean for the global rally scene.

1. Hyundai’s Legacy in WRC: A Story of Success and Challenges

The Rise of Hyundai in Rally Racing

Hyundai first entered the World Rally Championship in 1999, but it wasn’t until 2014—when they returned with the i20 WRC—that they began establishing themselves as a true powerhouse. Over the years, Hyundai Motorsport has:

Won multiple WRC manufacturer titles (2019, 2020).
Developed championship-contending cars, including the i20 Coupe WRC and i20 N Rally1.
Produced legendary rally drivers like Thierry Neuville and Ott Tänak.

With a solid presence in both the hybrid Rally1 era and the traditional internal combustion years, Hyundai has consistently been a top contender in rally racing.

Recent Struggles and Strategic Concerns

Despite their success, Hyundai has faced increasing challenges in recent seasons:

Technical struggles with the hybrid Rally1 cars – Their early adaptation to the WRC’s hybrid regulations in 2022 caused setbacks.
Internal management issues – Hyundai has seen significant leadership changes, including the sudden departure of team principal Andrea Adamo in 2021.
Growing financial concerns – Maintaining a WRC team is a costly investment, and some automakers are reconsidering their long-term involvement.

Given these challenges, Neuville’s statement about Hyundai’s uncertain future raises the question—is the brand preparing to scale back or exit WRC?

2. What Did Neuville Really Mean?

A Shocking Revelation? Or a Calculated Statement?

Neuville, Hyundai’s longest-serving WRC driver, has always been vocal about the team’s ambitions and internal struggles. His latest comments about Hyundai’s uncertain future have sparked intense speculation.

His exact words:

“Hyundai has not made a final decision on WRC yet, but we are working hard to ensure we remain competitive.”

This suggests that Hyundai is still weighing its options, and multiple scenarios could play out:

Scenario 1: Hyundai continues in WRC but with a reduced budget.
Scenario 2: Hyundai transitions to a different motorsport category (such as Formula E or Rally Raid).
Scenario 3: Hyundai exits WRC entirely by 2026.

Hyundai’s Internal Strategy Meetings

Sources within Hyundai Motorsport have confirmed that executives are actively discussing their future rally involvement. A major decision is expected in late 2025, but internal reports indicate that financial considerations and market trends will heavily influence the outcome.

Hybrid technology vs. full-electric racing: WRC’s future remains unclear as manufacturers push for more electric motorsport options.
Hyundai’s focus on sustainable motorsport: The company has already invested in hydrogen-powered vehicles and electric racing, which may lead them to reallocate resources away from WRC.
The influence of the Korean headquarters: Unlike Toyota and Ford, Hyundai’s motorsport division must justify its WRC expenses to corporate decision-makers in Seoul.

With these factors at play, Hyundai’s WRC future remains highly unpredictable.

3. How Would a Hyundai Exit Impact Thierry Neuville and WRC?

What’s Next for Neuville?

As Hyundai’s star driver since 2014, Thierry Neuville has built his entire WRC career around the manufacturer. If Hyundai were to pull out of WRC, Neuville would be left with limited options:

Join Toyota Gazoo Racing – Toyota remains the most dominant WRC team, but their driver lineup is already stacked.
Move to M-Sport Ford – A possibility, though Ford’s WRC funding has been inconsistent.

Retire from full-time WRC competition – At 36 years old, Neuville might consider shifting into endurance racing or Dakar Rally.

Neuville has repeatedly expressed his commitment to WRC, but with Hyundai’s future uncertain, he may have to consider new career paths.

How Would WRC Survive Without Hyundai?

If Hyundai exits WRC, the championship would suffer major consequences:

Fewer manufacturers = Less competition – Currently, only Toyota, Hyundai, and M-Sport Ford participate in WRC. Losing Hyundai would leave Toyota as the dominant force.
Fewer seats for top drivers – With Hyundai gone, elite drivers would struggle to find competitive teams.
Less sponsorship and media attention – Hyundai’s presence attracts major sponsors and global audiences. Their departure could hurt WRC’s financial stability.

The FIA would need to act fast to secure a replacement manufacturer or risk seeing WRC lose its competitive appeal.

4. Hyundai’s Alternative Motorsport Plans: A Shift Away from WRC?

Could Hyundai Transition to Formula E or Dakar Rally?

Hyundai’s hesitation about WRC may stem from a bigger strategic shift. The company has been actively exploring:

Formula E – Hyundai has invested heavily in electric mobility, making Formula E a logical step.
Dakar Rally – Hyundai has the capability to develop off-road racing cars for the legendary endurance rally.
Le Mans Hypercar (LMH) – The World Endurance Championship’s hypercar category is attracting major automakers.

With automakers increasingly prioritizing sustainable motorsport, Hyundai may see WRC as less aligned with their long-term vision.

5. What Happens Next? A Critical Year for Hyundai and WRC

Key Deadlines to Watch

Hyundai’s WRC decision will likely be made by late 2025, aligning with FIA’s next set of regulations for the 2027 season. Until then:

Neuville and Hyundai must perform well in 2025 to justify continued investment.
Hyundai’s corporate board in Korea will evaluate the benefits of staying in WRC.
The FIA may introduce incentives to retain Hyundai’s participation.

Possible FIA Interventions

To keep Hyundai in WRC, the FIA might introduce new rule changes:

Financial incentives for manufacturers.
More hybrid/electric integration to align with Hyundai’s goals.
Greater flexibility in car development to encourage brand innovation.

The FIA understands that losing Hyundai would be a massive blow, so they will likely work behind the scenes to prevent that from happening.

Will Hyundai Stay or Leave?

As Neuville asserts that Hyundai has not made a final decision on WRC, the rally community remains on edge.

Hyundai’s history in WRC is strong, but financial and strategic factors could push them out.
Neuville’s future depends entirely on Hyundai’s decision—he could either continue with the brand or seek a new opportunity.
WRC risks losing a major manufacturer, which could severely impact competition and sponsorship.

Will Hyundai double down on its rally commitment, or will they pivot to a new motorsport venture? The answer may determine the future of WRC itself. One thing is certain—the next 12 months will be critical for Hyundai, Neuville, and the entire rally world!