Hyundai Motor World Rally Team Wins First Victory at WRC Italy Rally

Thierry Neuville of the Hyundai Motor World Rally Team took first place at the 6th round of the 2023 World Rally Championship held in Sardinia, Italy, from the 1st to the 4th (local time).

The team raced with the i20 N Rally1 hybrid and maintained a top position from the middle of the race to secure the victory. Hyundai has lifted the winner's trophy a total of six times in the history of the Italian Rally (victories in 2016, 2018-2020, and 2022-2023).

(From left) Kim Sun-pyeong, Executive Director of Hyundai Motor Company Motorsports Division; Jan Ferm and Esapekka Lappi, co-drivers of the Hyundai World Rally Team who finished in 2nd place; Thierry Neuville and co-driver Martin Wydaeghe of the Hyundai World Rally Team who won the championship; and Kalle Rovanper? and co-driver Jonne Halttunen of the Toyota team who finished in 3rd place. Photo by Hyundai Motor Company

Hyundai's Esapekka Lappi also took second place. Achieving a double podium, the Hyundai World Rally Team earned a total of 43 points in the manufacturers' category, maintaining 2nd place in the manufacturers' standings. The gap with the leading Toyota team is only 23 points.

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

Hyundai Motor Company i20 N Rally1 Hybrid race car participating in the 2023 World Rally Championship Italy Rally
[Photo by Hyundai Motor Company]

Til Vattenberg, Executive Director of Hyundai Motor N Brand & Motorsports Division, said, “We are very pleased to have won the first 2023 WRC trophy at the Italian Rally,” and added, “With Director Abiteboul, who has accumulated extensive experience as a director on the international motorsports stage, we expect the Hyundai World Rally Team to continue achieving good results this year.”