The fourth and final day of Rallye Monte-Carlo has come to an end. Thierry Neuville held on to take the win.
SS15, La Bréole – Selonnet 3
Thierry Neuville kicked off the final day the same way he kicked off the last two, with a stage win. As the Belgian set a time 4.7 seconds faster than Sebastien Ogier to top the stage. Ott Tänak finished third fastest on the stage, 0.4 seconds slower than Ogier. Elfyn Evans posted the fourth fastest time on the stage, 1.8 seconds slower than Tänak. Adrien Fourmaux rounded out the top five on the stage, finishing 9.5 seconds slower than Evans.
SS16, Digne-les-Bains – Chaudon-Norante
Thierry Neuville also took the stage win on the penultimate stage of Rally Monte-Carlo. Posting a time 0.2 seconds faster than Elfyn Evans to top the stage. Ott Tänak finished third fastest on the stage, 2.5 seconds slower than Evans. Sebastien Ogier set the fourth fastest time on the stage, 2.8 seconds slower than Tänak. Takamoto Katsuta rounded out the top five on the stage, finishing 9 seconds slower than Ogier.
SS17, La Bollène-Vésubie – Col De Turini
Thierry Neuville topped the final stage of the event to go three for three on the final day. Neuville set a time 2.5 seconds faster than Sebastien Ogier to top the stage. Takamoto Katsuta finished third fastest on the stage, 0.1 seconds slower than Ogier. Elfyn Evans rounded out the top five on the stage, posting a time 0.4 seconds slower than Katsuta. Ott Tänak rounded out the top five on the stage, finishing 1.8 seconds slower than Evans.
Final Rallye Monte-Carlo Overall
Thierry Neuville ended the event with a 16.1-second lead over Sebastien Ogier. Elfyn Evans finished third overall, 29.1 seconds behind Ogier and 45.2 seconds behind Neuville. Ott Tänak ended the event fourth overall, a minute and 14.6 seconds behind Evans. Adrien Fourmaux rounded out the top five at this home event, finishing one minute and 37.1 seconds behind Tänak.
The third day of Rallye Monte-Carlo has come to an end. Thierry Neuville took the rally lead on the day.
SS9, Esparron – Oze 1
Thierry Neuville kicked off the penultimate day of Rallye Monte-Carlo with a stage win. As the 2020 event winner posted a time 9.6 seconds faster than Elfyn Evans to top the stage. Grégoire Munster finished third fastest on the stage, 4.6 seconds slower than Evans for the first top three time of his career. Takamoto Katsuta set a time 3.9 seconds slower than Munster on the stage. Sebastien Ogier rounded out the top five on the stage, finishing 0.7 seconds slower than Katsuta.
SS10, Les Nonières – Chichilianne 1
Sebastien Ogier topped the second stage of the day. As the 9-time event winner set a time 2.1 seconds faster than now rally leader Thierry Neuville. Takamoto Katsuta finished third fastest on the stage, 0.2 seconds slower than Neuville. Ott Tänak posted the fourth fastest time on the stage, 0.8 seconds slower than Katsuta. Grégoire Munster rounded out the top five on the stage, 3.1 seconds slower than Tänak.
SS11, Pellafol – Agnières-en-Dévoluy 1
Hyundai drivers Thierry Neuville and Ott Tänak tied for the fastest time on the final stage of the morning loop. As both drivers posted a time 1.2 seconds faster than Takamoto Katsuta. Sebastien Ogier finished with the third fastest on the stage, 1.4 seconds slower than Katsuta. Elfyn Evans set the fourth fastest time on the stage, 1.6 seconds slower than Ogier. Grégoire Munster rounded out the top five times on the final stage of Rallye Monte-Carlo day three’s morning loop. Finishing with a time 5.6 seconds slower than Evans.
SS12, Esparron – Oze 2
Sebastien Ogier opened the afternoon loop with a stage win. Setting a time 5.5 seconds faster than leader Thierry Neuville to close the gap between himself and Neuville to just 2.2 seconds. Ott Tänak and Takamoto Katsuta tied for the third fastest time on the stage, with both drivers finishing 8.4 seconds slower than Ogier. Andreas Mikkelsen posted the fourth fastest time on the stage, 1.3 seconds slower than Tänak and Katsuta. Elfyn Evans rounded out the top five times on the stage, finishing 1.7 seconds slower than Mikkelsen.
SS13, Les Nonières – Chichilianne 2
Sebastien Ogier also took the stage win on the penultimate stage of the penultimate day of Rallye Monte-Carlo. Posting a time 3 seconds faster than Thierry Neuville to top the stage and take the rally lead. Elfyn Evans finished third fastest for the first time today, finishing 4.6 seconds faster than Neuville on the stage. Ott Tänak set the fourth fastest on the stage, 5.2 seconds slower than Evans. Takamoto Katsuta rounded out the top five on the stage, finishing 4.2 seconds slower than Tänak.
SS14, Pellafol – Agnières-en-Dévoluy 2
Thierry Neuville topped the final stage of the day. Posting a time 4.1 seconds faster than Sebastien Ogier to take back the rally lead. Ott Tänak finished third fastest on the stage, 6 seconds slower than Ogier. Takamoto Katsuta set the fourth fastest time on the stage, 1.8 seconds slower than Tänak. Andreas Mikkelsen rounded out the top five on the stage, 1.4 seconds slower than Katsuta.
Overall After Day Three Of Rallye Monte-Carlo
Thierry Neuville leads the rally and took home maximum points on Saturday under the new points system. Sebastien Ogier sits second overall, 3.3 seconds behind Neuville. Elfyn Evans lost a lot of time on the penultimate due to a hybrid issue. Now Evans sits 31.6 seconds behind Ogier and 34.9 seconds behind Neuville in third. Ott Tänak still sits far back from the front runners. As the Estonian is a minute and 12 seconds behind Evans and a minute and 46.9 seconds behind Neuville. Adrien Fourmaux sits another minute and 7.1 seconds behind Tänak and two minutes and 54 seconds behind Neuville.
The second day of Rallye Monte-Carlo has come to an end. Elfyn Evans retained his lead after the days stages.
SS3, St-Léger-Les-Mélèzes – La Bâtie-Neuve 1
Thierry Neuville kicked off the second day with a stage win. As the Belgian posted a time 5.3 seconds faster than rally leader Elfyn Evans to top the stage. Sebastien Ogier finished third fastest on the stage, 1.3 seconds slower than Evans. Adrien Forumaux set the fourth fastest time, 15.9 seconds slower than Ogier. Andreas Mikkelsen rounded out the top five for the first time this weekend, as the Norwegian set a time 4.8 seconds slower than Fourmaux.
SS4, Champcella – Saint-Clément 1
Sebastien Ogier topped the stage for the first time this weekend on SS4. As the 9-time Rallye Monte-Carlo winner set a time 1 second faster than Evans to win the stage. Ott Tänak finished third fastest on the stage, 0.8 seconds slower than Evans. Adrien Fourmaux posted the fourth fastest time on the stage, 6.7 seconds slower than Tänak. Thierry Neuville rounded out the top five on the stage, 1.5 seconds slower than Fourmaux.
SS5, La Bréole – Selonnet 1
Sebastien Ogier ended the morning loop with his second stage win of the weekend. Setting a time 11.2 seconds faster than Elfyn Evans to win the stage. Adrien Fourmaux finished third fastest on the stage, 0.6 seconds slower than Evans. Ott Tänak posted the fourth fastest time on the stage, 0.2 seconds slower than Fourmaux. Thierry Neuville rounded out the top five on the stage, finishing 4.9 seconds slower than Tänak.
SS6, St-Léger-Les-Mélèzes – La Bâtie-Neuve 2
Thierry Neuville kicked off the afternoon loop of Rallye Monte-Carlo day two with a stage win. As Neuville posted a time 1.6 seconds faster than Sebastien Ogier to win his second stage of the day. Elfyn Evans finished third fastest on the stage, 1 second slower than Ogier. Ott Tänak set the fourth fastest time on the stage, 3 seconds slower than Evans. Takamoto Katsuta rounded out the top five on the stage, 5.2 seconds slower than Tänak.
SS7, Champcella – Saint-Clément 2
Thierry Neuville also took the stage win on SS7. Setting a time 3.5 seconds faster than Sebastien Ogier to top the stage. Elfyn Evans finished third fastest on the stage, 1.1 seconds slower than Ogier. Ott Tänak posted the fourth fastest time on the stage, 1.9 seconds slower than Evans. Takamoto Katsuta rounded out the top five on the stage, 8.2 seconds slower than Tänak.
SS8, La Bréole – Selonnet 2
Sebastien Ogier ended the second day of Rallye Monte-Carlo with a stage win. Posting a time 2.9 seconds faster than Thierry Neuville to top the stage. Elfyn Evans finished third fastest on the stage, 1.2 seconds slower than Neuville. Ott Tänak set the fourth fastest time on the stage, 7.7 seconds slower than Evans. Adrien Fourmaux rounded out the top five on the stage, finishing 3.4 seconds slower than Tänak.
Overall After Rallye Monte-Carlo Day Two
Elfyn Evans retained his lead after the days six stages. Despite not taking a single-stage win on the day. Evans takes a 4.5-second lead over Sebastien Ogier heading into the third day of the event. Thierry Neuville sits just 11.6 seconds behind Ogier, and 16.1 seconds behind Evans after the day. Ott Tänak is far behind in fourth. As the Estonian sits 57.5 seconds behind Neuville at the end of the day. Adrien Fourmaux rounds out the top five to end the second day of Rallye Monte-Carlo. With the Frenchman sitting 24.4 seconds behind Tänak.
What To Expect From Rallye Monte-Carlo Day Three
The penultimate day of Rallye Monte-Carlo is set to be a good one. As Evans, Ogier and Neuville will battle for the event lead, and maximum points to end Saturday. Tänak will look to fend off Fourmaux, who has been on a heater. Tänak will have to rely on Sunday’s new points system to regain points lost. Day three will see drivers contest 120.40 km across 6 stages. Leaving lots of room for time to be gained and lost for the drivers.
The first day of Rallye Monte-Carlo has come to an end. Elfyn Evans leads the event after the first day.
SS1, Thoard – Saint-Geniez
Elfyn Evans kicked off the first stage of the 2024 season with a stage win. As the 2023 WRC Vice-Champion posted a time 5.2 seconds faster than Ott Tänak to top the stage. Thierry Neuville finished third fastest on the stage, 3.1 seconds slower than Tänak. Reigning Rallye Monte-Carlo winner Sebastien Ogier set the fourth fastest time on the stage, 1.5 seconds slower than Neuville. Adrien Fourmuax rounded out the top five, finishing 6.4 seconds slower than Ogier on the stage.
SS2, Bayons – Bréziers
Elfyn Evans also took the stage win on the second and final stage of Rallye Monte-Carlo day one. With the Welshmen setting a time 6.8 seconds faster than Thierry Neuville to top the stage. Sebastien Ogier finished third fastest on the stage, 5 seconds slower than Neuville. Ott Tänak posted the fourth fastest time on the stage, 5.8 seconds slower than Ogier. Takamoto Katsuta rounded out the top five on the stage, 4.4 seconds slower than Tänak.
Overall After Rallye Monte-Carlo Day One
Elfyn Evans takes a 15.1-second lead over Thierry Neuville into the second day of competition. Sebastien Ogier sits third overall, 6.5 seconds back from Neuville. Ott Tänak ends the day in fourth, 1.2 seconds behind Ogier. Adrien Fourmuax rounds out the top five after the first day, 16.2 seconds behind Tänak.
What To Expect From Rallye Monte-Carlo Day Two
In about 11 hours the second day of Rallye Monte-Carlo will kick off. Drivers will contest 105.72 km across six stages. Drivers will face varying conditions throughout the day, including another night stage to cap off the day. Day two could end with a driver clear in the lead, or a driver leading by a handful of seconds. Anything can happen throughout the days stages.
The Rallye Monte-Carlo shakedown stage has come to an end. Ott Tänak and Nikolay Gryazin topped the stage in their respective classes.
Rally1
Ott Tänak set the fastest time on the first shakedown of the season. Tänak would set a time 0.1 seconds faster than championship rival Elfyn Evans to top the Rallye Monte-Carlo shakedown. Thierry Neuville finished third fastest, 0.7 seconds slower than Evans. 2023 Rallye Monte-Carlo winner Sebastien Ogier posted the fourth fastest time, 0.2 seconds slower than Neuville. Takamoto Katsuta rounded out the top five on the shakedown stage, finishing 2.2 seconds slower than Ogier.
WRC2
Nikolay Gryazin topped the Rallye Monte-Carlo shakedown for the WRC2 class. Gryazin would post a time 0.5 seconds faster than last year’s winner Yohan Rossel. Oliver Solberg finished third fastest on the shakedown stage, 1 second slower than Rossel. Pepe Lopez set the fourth fastest time, 2.4 seconds slower than Solberg. Sami Pajari rounded out the top five in the WRC2 class on the shakedown stage, finishing 1.3 seconds slower than Lopez.
What To Expect From Rallye Monte-Carlo Day One
In about 12 hours the first real day of the 2024 World Rally Championship season will kick off. Day one of Rallye Monte-Carlo will see drivers contest two-night stages. These stages total 46.20 km in length. Elfyn Evans will be first on the road tomorrow. As he finished second in the championship last season. Since Kalle Rovanperä won’t be competing this weekend, Evans moves up in the start order. As the reigning champion is supposed to start. At the end of day one’s stages we should get a slight idea of how the event will go. As there’s a lot of time to be gained and lost in 46 km. However, anything can happen as there are still lots of kilometers to race after day one.
The 2024 World Rally Championship season kicks off this weekend with the Rallye Monte-Carlo.
A New Season
Rallye Monte-Carlo will kick off the new World Rally Championship season. Due to this being the first round, there aren’t any championship standings to go over. This means this will be a slightly different preview than the other 12 rounds of the championship. Below I will go over what to expect from the historic event as well as all the teams participating in the event.
Team Rundowns
Toyota Gazoo Racing WRT
The Toyota Gazoo Racing World Rally Team enters the 2024 WRC season as manufacturer champions. They have also won two of the last three Rallye Monte-Carlo’s. With Sebastien Ogier winning both events for the team. Ogier is the favourite to win the event for the 10th time in his career this weekend. However, drivers such as Elfyn Evans, Thierry Neuville and Ott Tänak will look to stop him. Nevertheless, Ogier’s experience at the tricky event will likely be what leads him to victory at his home event. Takamoto Katsuta will join Elfyn Evans and Sebastien Ogier this weekend.
Hyundai Shell Mobis WRT
Realistically speaking, Hyundai has the only drivers that can challenge Ogier for the win this weekend. As Thierry Neuville won the event in 2020. Ending the domination from Sebastien Ogier and Loeb at the event. Rallye Monte-Carlo will also be Ott Tänak’s first event back in a Hyundai. This comes after the Estonian spent last season with M-Sport Ford. Another driver returning to Hyundai will make their debut this weekend. As reigning WRC2 champion Andreas Mikkelsen will suit up for his first event back with Hyundai this weekend. With a team of Neuville, Tänak and Mikkelsen, Hyundai have a strong contender to Toyota’s trio of drivers.
M-Sport Ford WRT
With all due respect to Adrien Fourmaux and Grégoire Munster, don’t expect much out of M-Sport Ford this weekend. Realistically speaking this is Fourmaux’s first event in a Rally1 car since 2022. Sure he contested Forum8 Rally Japan in a Rally1 car last season. However, he had very few stage kilometres in the car before he went off the road and ended his event. As for Munster, this will be his first time in the car competitively since the Central European Rally. Fourmaux and Munster will likely use this weekend’s event to get used to the car. Rather than pushing for a high finish.
Driver Quotes
Jari-Matti Latvala, Team Principal, Toyota
“We have enjoyed some fantastic success over the last few seasons and we naturally hope to continue this in 2024. We expect an even greater challenge and it will be even tougher to claim all the titles. To win the manufacturers’ championship once again will be our primary target, and if we can achieve the drivers’ and co-drivers’ titles too, that would be a really great bonus. Our team is working hard all the time to develop the car through the season and make it an ever-better car. With Rallye Monte-Carlo, we start with one of the most demanding rallies, and I think a good weekend there can really give you a confidence boost. So Elfyn and Taka will be trying to make the best possible starts to their seasons, and it’s always exciting to have Seb driving with us on his home roads where he has been so strong before. We’re also really excited to see the GR Yaris Rally2 in action: after testing we’re feeling confident in the car, but it’s only now in competition that we can really see the level it’s at and gather more feedback for future development.”
Sebastien Ogier, Car 17, Toyota
“I’m happy to be at the start of another season after all these years, and I take this opportunity with both hands. The last couple of years have been good fun with the team and we managed to secure some good results. I think we want to keep going this way as long as we can and that’s the plan for 2024, starting with Rallye Monte-Carlo of course. For me this is a must-do event and there’s a lot of hopes for this first rally. I think it’s the rally that you need to respect more than any other as the conditions can be so challenging, which means that nothing is guaranteed. Numbers are never my main motivation, but if I could get a 10th win on this event it would be something very special.”
Cyril Abiteboul, Team Principal, Hyundai
“Our goal is to have a clean weekend and maximise the opportunity of the fresh start. It will also be everyone’s first time competing with the updated points-scoring system, which will add a new dynamic to the event.”
Ott Tänak, Car 8, Hyundai
“At the test, the feeling in the car was good and we found a nice rhythm. Our target at the rally is to achieve a podium finish, but of course we will push for the best result possible.”
We are weeks away from the start of the 2024 WRC season. Here are my predictions.
Tänak Wins The Championship
Ott Tänak is one of the three drivers expected to win the 2024 WRC Drivers’ Championship. I’d be surprised if Tänak didn’t beat Thierry Neuville and Elfyn Evans to win his second championship. Tänak is the only former World Champion contesting a full season. His previous championship experience is what puts him over the edge for me. He knows what it takes to win. It’s just up to Hyundai to give him a car that can compete with Evans Toyota.
Toyota Wins The Manufacturers Championship
If I’m being completely honest, Toyota is probably the favorite to win the Manufacturers’ Championship again. Even if Tänak wins the championship, I still can’t see Hyundai winning the Manufacturers’ championship. Why? It comes down to the other drivers. A trio of Sordo, Mikkelsen and Lappi isn’t as good as a duo of Ogier and Rovanperä. Sure Hyundai has the better second driver in Neuville, compared to Katsuta for Toyota. Nevertheless, the duo of Ogier and Rovanperä will likely win, or finish within the top five at every event they contest. Don’t get me wrong, Sordo, Mikkelsen and Lappi are all good drivers, but they aren’t better than two drivers who have 10 World Championships between them.
Katsuta Wins His First
Takamoto Katsuta has yet to take the top step of the podium at the top level. I feel as if this will be the season he finally takes that leap. He’s Toyota’s second full-time driver this season and is a talented driver. He just hasn’t been able to do it yet. He came close at the 2023 running of Forum8 Rally Japan, however a spin and subsequent damage ended those hopes. If Katsuta were to win an event it’ll probably be his home event of Forum8 Rally Japan.
Rovanperä Wins More Events Than Evans
Kalle Rovanperä has moved into a part-time role for the upcoming season. However, I don’t think that’ll stop him from winning more events than his teammate Elfyn Evans. Rovanperä is the best driver in the championship, there’s no denying that. At the events he competes at he will be one of the front runners. I have Rovanperä pencilled in to win over 75% of the rounds he contests. This is more than what I have Evans to win.
Lappi Wins His Second Event
Esapekka Lappi has moved into a part-time role with Hyundai for the 2024 WRC season after he contested a full 2023 season. Lappi has only won a single event so far in his career. I have a feeling he’ll take his second career win this season. Which event that’ll be at I don’t know. However, Lappi showed good pace in the Hyundai last season and was on pace to win Rally Mexico before he hit a power pole.
M-Sport Has At Least Three Podiums
It’s no secret that the M-Sport Ford WRT doesn’t have a championship-calibre driver, no offence to Fourmaux or Munster. However, I wouldn’t be surprised if the duo managed to finish on the podium a couple of times this season. Munster is really good on tarmac. Something he proved at the Central European Rally this past season. Fourmaux wasn’t bad on rough gravel either. Nearly winning the WRC2 class at Rally Italia Sardegna. The rallies the M-Sport will podium at is something I won’t try to predict.
Earlier this week rumors began to circulate about a return to the WRC for Lancia. Find out more below.
The Rumour
Earlier this week an article was put out linking Lanica to a WRC return. This came from Lanica’s parent company, Stellantis. Stellantis also owns brands like Citroen, Fiat, and Dodge among others. The reason Stellantis is interested in a WRC return for Lancia is to help revive the brand. Lancia hasn’t produced any notable vehicles since the 90’s. Stellantis wants that to change. In their eyes, they want to revive the brand by doing the same thing that made the brand notable in the first place. There isn’t much to go off of with this rumor. It sounds like Lancia will start development of the new car this year. While it’s expected to be used in 2025 at the earliest.
Why A Return Makes Sense
Lancia could be Citroen’s replacement in the WRC2 class, and potentially become the fourth manufacturer in the top class. Citroen only has a couple of seasons of use remaining in the C3. Before the car’s homologation runs out. Citroen going out of the WRC would be unfortunate. As the manufacturer is one of the most successful in the WRC. Unfortunately, Stellanois doesn’t seem interested in having two manufacturers under their control compete.
A History In The WRC
Lancia is probably the second most iconic manufacturer in WRC history, behind Subaru. As Lanica helped make the WRC become what we know today. Before the Lancia Stratos, rally cars were often just slightly modified road cars. The Stratos was the first car designed specifically for rally. The Stratos went on to become one of the most legendary cars in WRC history. Winning Lancia three consecutive Manufacturers championships from 1974-1976.
From 1977-1981 Lancia was absent from the WRC. However, in 1982 the brand would return to start the Group B era. Lancia would return with the brand new and legendary 037 rally car. This rear-wheel drive beast won the 1983 manufacturers championship. However, in 1985 an issue with the 037 would become apparent. The car was rear-wheel drive while the likes of Audi and Peaugot were running all-wheel drive cars. To counter this Lanica built a brand new car, the Lancia Delta S4.
The Delta S4 was both supercharged and turbocharged, giving it a load of power. However, all that power came at a cost, the car was difficult to control. Nevertheless, with Henri Toivonen behind the wheel, the Delta S4 won its first two events and would’ve won the third if it wasn’t for an engine issue. The Delta S4 went on to win two more events in 1986, including the Olympus Rally, the final event of the Group B era.
The M-Sport Ford World Rally Team have announced their 2024 driver line-up. Find out all you need to know below.
The Drivers
The 2024 M-Sport Ford WRT lineup consists of two familiar faces. Those faces are Adrien Fourmaux and Grégoire Munster. Both Fourmaux and Munster drove a Puma Rally1 last season. With Munster competing at Rally Chile Bio Bio and the Central European Rally in the car. While Fourmuax competed in Rally Japan.
Adrien Fourmaux
It’s no surprise that Adrien Fourmaux is once again getting a chance behind the wheel of a Rally1 car. As the Frenchman was demoted to the WRC2 championship at the end of a disappointing 2022 season. However, Fourmaux seemed to have found himself in 2023. As he went on to win the British Rally Championship with M-Sport. Becoming the first Frenchman to win the championship. Fourmaux also aided M-Sport in developing the Fiesta Rally2 car. Fourmaux didn’t win any WRC2 events last season. Although he did come close in Italy. However, an off on the last stage costed him the event win.
Grégoire Munster
Grégoire Munster is a bit of a surprise. As he was expected to get a part-time drive with the team and compete at Rallye Monte-Carlo. However, a full-time drive was unexpected. Munster has even said himself that he wasn’t fully ready for it. Add that to a comment from higher-ups at M-Sport made just last month about Munster becoming their main driver for WRC2 and it leaves some question marks. Sure Munster put up a strong performance at the Central European Rally. However, why rush him into a spot he’s not ready for? Sure Munster could’ve changed his mind, if that’s the case then okay. However, if he was still on the edge why give him a full-time seat?
Why These Drivers?
M-Sport had a very slim selection of drivers to pick from. As the team relies on drivers willing to pay for a drive as opposed to paying drivers to drive. Only on rare occasions will M-Sport pay a driver to drive for the team. Fourmuax has the backing of Redbull to sponsor a full-time drive. While Munster will be backed by Jourdan Serderidis and other sponsors.
Earlier this week the Hyundai Shell Mobis WRT announced the final two drivers for their 2024 WRC lineup.
He’s Back!
Andreas Mikkelsen will return to the top level of rally for the 2024 season. The 2023 WRC2 was in talks with Hyundai for a spot during 2023 after Craig Breen passed away. However, Hyundai decided to go a different route and Mikkelsen took part in the WRC2 championship for Toksport. Mikkelsen last drove at the top level of rally in 2019 with Hyundai. Mikkelsen won the WRC2 championship just two years later. Since then Mikkelsen has been the most deserving driver to get a rally1 drive. Well, he will get that chance this season at select events.
Back For Another Season With Hyundai
Dani Sordo’s future with Hyundai was questionable. As the Spaniard didn’t even know what his plans for 2024 were at Forum8 Rally Japan. Sordo did say he would do at least one outing in a Rally1 car in 2024. However, from there it was all question marks. Sordo will provide Hyundai with a safety net throughout the season. Something he has proven time and time again in 2022 and 2023.
What Events Will They Do?
Hyundai would say in their press release that Lappi will get snow and fast gravel events. Sordo will get rough gravel and Mikkelsen tarmac. There could be some room for changes throughout the season. However, based on what Hyundai has said each driver will do the following. Mikkelsen will do Montecarlo, Croatia, Central Europe and Japan. Lappi will do Sweden, Poland, Finland, Latvia and potentially Chile. That leaves Sordo doing Kenya, Italy, Portugal, and Greece. Obviously, things can change throughout the season as previously mentioned. As Lappi may not want to do all the fast events or Chile for example.
Why Three Drivers For Hyundai?
Lappi, Sordo and Mikkelsen are each good in their own respective ways. One thing they all share in common is the fact that they can challenge for a podium when needed. It’s no secret Hyundai is targeting both the manufacturer and drivers championships. Hyundai also knows to achieve this they need a safety net in case Neuville or Tänak fail to finish an event. All three drivers have previously won events and finished on the podium numerous times. All three drivers also know their role on the team and what the objective is. They also don’t take unnecessary risks. Only time will tell how having three drivers share a car works out.