Hyundai confirms drivers for 2017 and presents i20 Coupe WRC

Hyundai Motorsport reveals a livery for its new i20 Coupe WRC rally car, prepared for 2017 World Rally Championship season. The car was presented today on a press conference at Monza circuit, where the Monza Rally Show would take place this weekend.

The drivers line-up is also confirmed. There were no suprises, the same trio which took the runner-up spot in the 2016 Manufacturers’ championship would contest in the new 380-hp beast during 2017. Thierry Neuville, Hayden Paddon and Dani Sordo will participated in all rounds of the championship, along their old co-drivers Nicolas Gilsoul, John Kennard and Marc Marti.

Hyundai World Rally Team for 2017 WRC season

Unlike in previous seasons, when Hyundai had two teams, all three crews will now run under a unified banner of the Hyundai Shell Mobis World Rally Team. Manufacturer teams are able to field up to three cars for each round in 2017. The top-two classified finishers for each team will score points for the Manufacturers’ Championship.

In 2016, Hyundai took second place both in the Drivers’ and Manufacturers’ classification. Now, the ambitions are bigger.

“I have high hopes for our new Hyundai i20 Coupe WRC, which is the product of a lot of hard work from everyone in the team. We had a very positive 2016 season, and I was delighted to finish the season in second place. We want to be firmly in the fight for the title in 2017,” Thierry Neuville said.

Photos: Hyundai Motorsport