Following a demanding 2025 campaign, Hyundai Shell Mobis World Rally Team enters the 2026 FIA World Rally Championship (WRC) with renewed determination and a singular objective: to fight for all three championship titles. The 2026 season marks Hyundai Motorsport’s 13th year in the WRC, and the Korean manufacturer is approaching the campaign with a refreshed organisational structure, enhanced technical focus, and a driver line-up designed to maximise performance across all surfaces.
Three Hyundai i20 N Rally1 Cars to Maximise Championship Potential
To strengthen its title challenge, Hyundai will field three Hyundai i20 N Rally1 cars throughout the 2026 season. Two cars will be driven by permanent crews, while the third entry will rotate between highly experienced drivers selected for their surface-specific expertise and proven WRC pedigree.
The team’s permanent line-up remains unchanged:
- Thierry Neuville / Martijn Wydaeghe
- Adrien Fourmaux / Alexandre Coria
The third Hyundai i20 N Rally1 will be shared by three former Hyundai drivers:
- Dani Sordo / Cándido Carrera
- Esapekka Lappi / Enni Mälkönen
- Hayden Paddon / John Kennard
This rotational strategy mirrors the setup that delivered success in 2024 and is designed to optimise points-scoring opportunities across the diverse WRC calendar.
Neuville and Wydaeghe Lead Hyundai’s Title Charge
Thierry Neuville and Martijn Wydaeghe enter their sixth season together as a pairing and Neuville’s 13th year with Hyundai Motorsport. Despite a challenging 2025, the duo ended the season on a high with victory at Rally Saudi Arabia, momentum they aim to carry into the season-opening Rallye Monte-Carlo.
Their experience, consistency and leadership remain central to Hyundai’s championship ambitions.
Fourmaux and Coria Target First WRC Victory with Hyundai
Adrien Fourmaux and Alexandre Coria begin their second season with Hyundai Motorsport after an impressive debut year in 2025, which included four podium finishes.
Building on that progress, the French pairing will target their first WRC victory with Hyundai in 2026, while contributing valuable points in the manufacturers’ and drivers’ championships.
Proven Experience Strengthens Rotational Third Entry
Dani Sordo, one of Hyundai’s most successful WRC drivers, returns alongside co-driver Cándido Carrera. Across his Hyundai career, Sordo has claimed two victories and 20 podium finishes. The duo’s strength on rough gravel will be vital during the gravel-heavy mid-season events, particularly following their 2025 Portuguese Rally Championship title.
Esapekka Lappi, winner of Rally Sweden 2024, returns with co-driver Enni Mälkönen after a dominant 2025 Finnish Rally Championship campaign that yielded five wins and the title. Lappi brings championship-winning experience from Finnish, European and WRC2 levels, while Mälkönen becomes the only female co-driver in the Rally1 category, marking a significant milestone for the sport.
Hayden Paddon and John Kennard make their return to the WRC top class for the first time since 2017. The pairing arrives as back-to-back European Rally Championship winners (2023 and 2024) and will begin their programme at Rallye Monte-Carlo, contributing tarmac expertise and long-term development insight.
Hyundai Motorsport Relocates Test Base to France
A major operational change ahead of the season is the relocation of Hyundai Motorsport’s test base from Finland to the south of France. The move enables year-round access to a wider variety of surfaces and reflects a strategic focus on the demanding gravel events in the second half of the season.
Driver input played a key role in the decision, with development efforts targeting performance gains at rallies such as Acropolis Rally and Rally Saudi Arabia.
New Hyundai i20 N Rally1 Livery Debuts for 2026
The Hyundai i20 N Rally1 will feature a brand-new livery for 2026, paying tribute to Hyundai’s global motorsport heritage.
Key design highlights include:
- The return of Performance Blue and Active Red
- Visual references to Nürburgring, the home of Hyundai N
- Design elements honouring Namyang, Hyundai Motor Group’s R&D and Design Centre
Hyundai will also introduce special edition liveries at selected WRC events throughout the season.
Hyundai Leadership Confident Ahead of 2026 Season
Hyundai Motorsport President and Team Principal Cyril Abiteboul emphasised the team’s renewed focus and intent, highlighting the maturity of the Evo car, extensive winter testing, and strengthened leadership structure as key factors in the 2026 push.
WRC Sporting Director Andrew Wheatley confirmed that the team completed 16 days of testing between Rally Saudi Arabia and Rallye Monte-Carlo, reinforcing Hyundai’s commitment to consistent performance across the season.
Drivers United by Shared Championship Ambition
From Neuville’s long-standing partnership with Hyundai to Fourmaux’s pursuit of a maiden victory, and the returning experience of Sordo, Lappi and Paddon, the 2026 Hyundai line-up combines youth, experience, and surface-specific expertise.
With a refined strategy, expanded testing programme, and a deep pool of talent, Hyundai Shell Mobis World Rally Team enters the 2026 FIA World Rally Championship determined to challenge Toyota and reclaim the top step across all three titles.
