Hyundai Motor World Rally Team Wins WRC Finland Rally

At the 8th round of the 2022 World Rally Championship, the Hyundai Motor Company's 'i20 N Rally1 Hybrid' race car is seen driving in the Finland Rally.
Photo by Hyundai Motor Company

[Asia Economy Reporter Hyunseok Yoo] Hyundai Motor Company's World Rally Team won first place at the 2022 World Rally Championship (WRC) Finland Rally.

Hyundai Motor Company announced on the 8th that it won first place at the 8th round of the 2022 WRC, the 'Finland Rally,' held from the 4th to the 7th in Jyvaskyla, Finland.

The Finland Rally began in 1951 as a regional qualifier for the Monte Carlo Rally and has been part of the WRC since its inaugural year in 1973, making it a historic event. It is one of the most prestigious rallies both in terms of its 70-year history and popularity.

The Hyundai World Rally Team participated in this event with two drivers, Ott T?nak and Thierry Neuville, driving the 'i20 N Rally1 Hybrid' race car.

Ott T?nak recorded a time of 2 hours 24 minutes 4.6 seconds, finishing 6.8 seconds ahead of the second place. T?nak took the lead from the second day of the rally and maintained a flawless drive without ever being overtaken throughout the race. Thierry Neuville finished the rally in 5th place with a time of 2 hours 26 minutes 22.6 seconds.

This victory was especially meaningful as it marked the Hyundai World Rally Team's first-ever win at the Finland Rally.

Through the Finland Rally, the Hyundai World Rally Team earned a total of 40 points, maintaining second place in the manufacturers' standings and demonstrating the strength of the 2019 and 2020 overall champion team as they continue to chase the leader.

A Hyundai Motor Company official said, "It is very meaningful to be able to show Hyundai's capabilities to motorsport fans worldwide through this Finland Rally victory. We will do our best to achieve good results in the remaining races."

The WRC is a world-class motorsport competition organized by the F?d?ration Internationale de l’Automobile (FIA). Based on annual race results held in various environments ranging from paved roads to unpaved roads and snowy conditions, champions are determined in both the manufacturers' and drivers' categories.

Starting this year, the WRC has applied new technical regulations based on hybrid powertrains rather than internal combustion engines. Accordingly, Hyundai Motor Company is participating in the competition with the i20 N Rally1 Hybrid race car, equipped with a 1.6-liter 4-cylinder engine and a 100kW electric motor.

The 9th round of the 2022 WRC is scheduled to take place in Belgium from the 18th.

Meanwhile, at the 7th round of the WTCR held over two days from the 6th to the 7th at Anneau du Rhin in Grand Est, Alsace, France, Hyundai Motor Company's circuit race car, the Elantra N TCR (Avante N TCR), continued to perform well.

Mikel Azcona, a driver for the 'BRC Hyundai N Squadra Corse' team competing with the Elantra N TCR race car, secured 3rd place in both final races held on the 7th, earning 41 points and solidifying his position as the leader in the drivers' championship. Norbert Michelisz, also competing with the same race car, finished 4th in both final races, earning 29 points.

The 'BRC Hyundai N Squadra Corse' team earned a total of 70 points from this race, leading the second-place team by 57 points and signaling a strong prospect for winning the 2022 WTCR season championship.