Hyundai actively leads the Manufacturers’ Championship, but what could we expect from the team in the next three events?
A Fast Tänak
It’s no secret Ott Tänak is at his best during fast gravel events. Which is exactly what Rally Poland, Latvia and Finland are. Tänak is a three-time winner on the legendary stages of Finland. He was also expected to challenge for the event win with M-Sport last season. That was until the oil pan on his Puma broke. This year Tänak will be back behind the wheel of the same car he won with in Finland back in 2022 the Hyundai i20 Rally1. As far as Poland and Latvia go, Tänak finished third in 2015 and second in 2016 at the event. Latvia will be a new test for every driver involved. This means those with plenty of experience at fast events and those who can learn quickly will succeed. Latvia and Finland should give us a much-anticipated battle between Tänak and 2-time World Rally Champion Kalle Rovanperä.
Looking To Build
Thierry Neuville leads the Drivers’ Championship heading into the 2024 season’s midpoint. The driver who sits second is Elfyn Evans, who won Rally Finland last season. While Neuville finished second at the event. Neuville will likely be looking to build off the speed he showed in both Estonia and Finland last season. The Belgian has two podiums at Rally Poland already under his belt, including a win back in 2017. Neuville will also have to remain cautious, as one mistake at any of these fast and unforgiving events could put his championship hopes in jeopardy. It will be a game of risk versus reward for Neuville at all three events.
Making Gravel Debut
Andreas Mikkelsen, who is driving his first season in the Rally1 class will make his gravel debut in Poland at the end of the month. The reigning WRC2 champion has managed to take sixth-place finishes at both the Rallye-Monte Carlo and the Croatia Rally. However, gravel is a completely different beast compared to sealed surfaces. This is something the 34-year-old knows all too well. What better event for Mikkelsen to make his gravel debut at than an event he has previously won? This being Rally Poland which he won with Volkswagen back in 2016. In recent memory, Mikkelsen has won the last three editions of Rally Estonia in the WRC2 class.
Looking For More
Esapekka Lappi has only contested two events this season. He’s won one of those two events, that being Rally Sweden. Lappi likely won’t be hunting for the win in either Latvia or Finland, but he will likely be looking to take a step on the podium. Lappi is the last Finnish driver the win Rally Finland winning it back in 2017. Last season with Hyundai Lappi finished third at Rally Estonia and retired from Rally Finland after an accident.