Thierry Neuville says his World Rally Championship future past 2025 will probably be decided by Hyundai’s WRC plans as he doesn’t see himself “occurring with one other model”.
The WRC factors chief has signed a brand new one-year extension that can take him right into a twelfth season with the Korean marque.
Nonetheless, the Belgian’s WRC future past 2025 is unclear with Hyundai but to substantiate its dedication to the WRC for 2026, amid hypothesis the model may go away the championship and be a part of the World Endurance Championship.
Neuville has beforehand acknowledged a want to signal a two-year deal but it surely seems Hyundai’s unsure future has resulted in solely a one-year extension. The 36-year-old, whereas pleased to safe his future for an additional season, admitted that there have been even some preliminary worries about securing this new contract.
“It’s nice information. I am very pleased to proceed my most well-liked sport with the eagerness and the passion I nonetheless have, so I’m wanting ahead to it,” Neuville informed Autosport.
“Clearly the truth that the contract is signed is an effective level and I needn’t fear about that anymore.
“Sooner or later, positive, I believe we have been all apprehensive. Nonetheless, now it is official, we’ll proceed, and I believe it is also essential information for the group members as properly.”
Podium: Thierry Neuville, Martijn Wydaeghe, Hyundai World Rally Workforce Hyundai i20 N Rally1
Picture by: Austral / Hyundai Motorsport
When requested if there was an choice of a two-year deal, he revealed that there’s the likelihood he may very well be with the group longer than his new phrases of his new settlement. There was rumours that Hyundai may take into account outsourcing its group to a non-public operation from 2026.
“We do not go into extra particulars, however alternatives will likely be there, but it surely won’t depend upon us, so I imagine that we should see what the way forward for the group is. We may very well be there for longer,” he stated.
Pressed on if he had began to consider his future past 2025, he replied: “In no way, as a result of, like I stated, there is perhaps alternative for extra. In the intervening time, it is too early to know what would be the way forward for the groups in WRC and the class itself. So I imagine that it is too early to know.”
Nonetheless, given the uncertainty round Hyundai’s WRC future past 2025, Neuville stated that the model’s choice whether or not to remain or go away the WRC may in the end resolve the way forward for his personal rallying profession within the prime flight.
“Clearly, for me it would not be a catastrophe to not be there anymore after so a few years, however then again, if clearly Hyundai retire it will in all probability be some extent for me to retire as properly. I’ve finished so lengthy with them and I’ve loved that point. In the intervening time I do not see myself occurring with one other model, however who is aware of?”
Neuville has beforehand proven curiosity in competing in classes exterior of the WRC, having raced in TCR Germany in 2019. Whereas he revealed that in some unspecified time in the future he may take into account an alternative choice to rally, the WRC is the place he needs to compete within the close to future.
“Sooner or later [I could consider Rally Raid or circuit racing], however truthfully talking, if I do one thing I need to do it professionally. In the intervening time the place I could make the perfect of continues to be in WRC. It is the place I am the perfect and the place the group wants me probably the most. So, that is the place to be in the intervening time,” he stated.
Thierry Neuville, Martijn Wydaeghe, Hyundai World Rally Workforce Hyundai i20 N Rally1
Picture by: Purple Bull Content material Pool
Waiting for subsequent season, Neuville will drive a closely upgraded i20 N Rally, because of the deployment of homologation jokers, because the group goals to resurrect a number of the plans it had for its new automotive venture that was deserted amid the 2025 FIA technical guidelines U-turn earlier this yr.
Neuville has already begun testing a number of the updates forward of their 2025 debut.
“The goal of the group to be aggressive subsequent yr. So I believe in the event that they keep on with signing quick drivers it is as a result of they need to be aggressive and that’s the reason they’ve determined to place some jokers on the automotive,” he added.