Thierry Neuville has signed a one-year contract extension to stay with Hyundai, alongside Ott Tanak, to contest the 2025 World Rally Championship.
The present WRC factors chief had entered into the ultimate yr of his present cope with the Korean marque this season, earlier than reaching a brand new settlement that may take the five-time title runner-up right into a twelfth yr with the group in WRC.
Neuville will as soon as once more proceed alongside co-driver Martijn Wydaeghe, whereas Hyundai has exercised an possibility on 2019 world champion pairing Tanak and Martin Jarvoeja for subsequent yr. Tanak scored victory in Sardinia this yr in his second spell with the group after spending 2023 driving for M-Sport-Ford.
Neuville joined Hyundai in 2014 when the automotive maker launched into its second stint as a manufacturing facility group within the WRC. The Belgian scored his and Hyundai’s first outright WRC win in Germany of their maiden season – the win is considered one of 20 Neuville has scored for the Alzenau outfit.
The 36-year-old informed Autosport final yr that he wish to signal a two-year deal to take him into 2026. Nevertheless, Hyundai’s future within the WRC past 2025 is but to be confirmed amid hypothesis the marque may depart the championship, amid anticipated plans to hitch the World Endurance Championship in 2026.
“I’m very completely happy to increase my contract with Hyundai Motorsport for the 2025 FIA World Rally Championship season,” mentioned Neuville on the eve of this weekend’s Acropolis Rally in Greece.
Thierry Neuville, Martijn Wydaeghe, Hyundai World Rally Group Hyundai i20 N Rally1
Picture by: Purple Bull Content material Pool
“There usually are not many partnerships in motorsport which have spanned so long as ours, however since 2014 we’ve got achieved nice success collectively.
“I’ve mentioned earlier than that this group has develop into a second household to me, and our ambition and motivation has solely grown yr after yr. It might be an important honour to win our first drivers’ title with them on the finish of this season, and to hold that ahead right into a twelfth yr collectively. I can’t wait to see what the long run holds for us.”
Hyundai group principal Cyril Abiteboul added: “We’re happy to substantiate Thierry Neuville alongside Ott Tanak for our 2025 FIA World Rally Championship marketing campaign.
“The choice to keep up this aggressive pairing at Hyundai Motorsport underscores our dedication to the collection in 2025, the place we’ll as soon as once more be concentrating on all three championship titles.
“Thierry has been with Hyundai Motorsport for the reason that very begin, proving invaluable to the group each on the phases and within the manufacturing facility over the previous 11 years.
“With him and his co-driver Martijn Wydaeghe now locked in for subsequent season, we’ve got the entire components wanted to proceed combating on the very pinnacle of our sport.”
Cyril Abiteboul, Group principal Hyundai World Rally Group
Picture by: Vincent Thuillier / Hyundai Motorsport
Hyundai is but to announce who will pilot its third i20 N Rally1 subsequent yr. Abiteboul has beforehand acknowledged that the group is “exploring eventualities” for this entry having chosen to separate the automotive throughout Esapekka Lappi, Andreas Mikkelsen and Dani Sordo.
M-Sport’s Adrien Fourmaux has nonetheless been closely linked to the drive, though the British squad is raring to maintain its lead driver for 2025.