Hyundai Motorsport heads to Wales Rally GB, the 11th round of the 2018 FIA World Rally Championship (WRC) looking to bounce back from a disappointing Rally Turkey, at which the team was forced to relinquish the lead of the manufacturers’ championship.
Despite a strong run to third for Hayden Paddon, who took his maiden podium of the 2018 season, Hyundai Motorsport saw two of its crews forced to retire from the lead of the event. Consequently, the manufacturers’ championship battle has intensified with just five points separating the top-two teams and three rallies remaining.
Wales Rally GB will offer a very different challenge to the rough and punishing stages in Turkey. Inclement autumn weather can often play a key role with the fast tree-lined routes into the Welsh forest made treacherous and muddy in wet conditions.
The rally is being held three weeks earlier than last season with some changes to the itinerary offering crews fresh demands. From Thursday evening’s super special at the Tir Prince Raceway to Friday’s two tests at Slate Mountain, located at the Llechwedd slate quarry, Wales Rally GB will have plenty of action for the fans.
Hyundai Motorsport will field the same three-car line-up as in Turkey with Andreas Mikkelsen/Anders Jæger, Thierry Neuville/Nicolas Gilsoul and Hayden Paddon/Seb Marshall
All crews have had one day of testing in mid-Wales with the Hyundai i20 WRC Coupe.
Team Principal Michel Nandan commented: “Turkey was a missed opportunity for us to assert our authority on the manufacturers’ championship. Instead, we find ourselves in a very intense battle with Toyota, and of course with M-Sport Ford also not far behind. We have to approach Wales Rally GB with a strong mentality and utmost determination, to show what we are capable of. We have made steady gains in this rally from one season to the next, with fourth places in 2014 and 2015, third in 2016 and second place last year. Our aim for this year is clear: to fight for the victory. Words are not going to achieve that; we have to demonstrate our intention by giving our crews the best car to do the job.”
We started our day at @WalesRallyGB with technical scrutineering earlier this morning. ??? #WRC #HMSGOfficial pic.twitter.com/YlhmjL26nt
— Hyundai Motorsport (@HMSGOfficial) October 3, 2018
Mikkelsen and Jæger demonstrated rally leading performance in Turkey before technical trouble
Mikkelsen said: “Although Turkey was ultimately a frustrating result, having led the rally by 40 seconds, it is important to take away the positives. Everything was a bit more relaxed and we had a good feeling inside the car. That’s what we take with us onto Wales Rally GB, an event I enjoy greatly. It is where I started my career, so it is always good to go back. It was my second event with Hyundai Motorsport last season and we came away with a solid fourth place, fighting near the front. I hope we can do that again this year and recreate the level of competitiveness we showed for most of Rally Turkey.”
#walesRallyGB recce ✅ All is set for an exciting weekend ahead! ??????? #WRC #HMSGOfficial pic.twitter.com/AX8NjTRi91
— Andreas Mikkelsen (@AMikkelsenRally) October 3, 2018
Neuville leads the drivers’ championship with a reduced advantage of 13 points over Tanak
Neuville said: “Wales Rally GB is really enjoyable and has different characteristics to the other gravel rallies on the calendar. The past few editions of the event have been run in wet, rainy conditions but we are there a bit earlier this year so let’s see if the weather is kinder. Whatever happens, it will be a tricky rally, particularly on the second pass. The schedule is also tough with very early starts and late finishes; it’s an extra physical challenge. I have had two podiums in a row in Wales, so it would be nice to continue that streak. After the disappointment of Turkey, the championship fight is definitely on!”
Three races to go and a strong fight ahead for the #WRC title! Are you ready for it? ??#FightOn #HMSGOfficial #WalesRallyGB pic.twitter.com/e75v7x8yay
— Thierry Neuville (@thierryneuville) October 1, 2018
Paddon scored his first podium of the season in Turkey with an intelligent drive to third
Wales Rally GB marks home event for his British co-driver Seb Marshall.
Paddon said: “After our podium in Turkey, we are looking forward to Wales Rally GB, which is Seb’s home event. There is often rain, mud and fog to contend with in this event, which adds character to a very enjoyable, but taxing rally. The characteristics of the roads match our style, and I think they will also be suited to our i20 Coupe WRC. Although I have had a couple of top-five finishes in the past few seasons, we’ve never really achieved our full potential in Wales. I’m going to set out to correct that this time around.”
??????? @WalesRallyGB ???????
It’s time to play! Rally Wales starts tomorrow and Seb and I will fight for the best result to the team!
Stay with us! ? pic.twitter.com/wkzX3hYgZI
— Hayden Paddon (@HaydenPaddon) October 3, 2018
