Hyundai Motorsport returns to European soil this week for the Central European Rally, the penultimate round of the 2024 FIA World Rally Championship (WRC). As the battle for the drivers’, co-drivers’, and manufacturers’ titles intensifies, the team is pulling out all the stops to claim victory on all fronts following a fiercely competitive season.
On the Edge of Glory
After a challenging outing at Rally Chile, where the team faced a difficult race but still managed to maintain its lead in the standings, Hyundai is now gearing up for a high-stakes weekend. Thierry Neuville and co-driver Martijn Wydaeghe lead both the drivers’ and co-drivers’ championships with a 29-point advantage over fellow Hyundai Shell Mobis World Rally Team contenders Ott Tänak and Martin Järveoja. With just two rounds left, every point counts in the race to secure the top spot.
The Central European Rally made its debut on the WRC calendar last year, where Neuville and Wydaeghe claimed an impressive victory—Neuville’s 19th career win—cementing their prowess on tarmac. Tänak and Järveoja finished third, rounding out a successful event for Hyundai. This year, the team is further bolstered by Andreas Mikkelsen and Torstein Eriksen, who will be competing in the Rally1 category after dominating the WRC2 class in the same event last year. Their past success adds an extra layer of confidence as the team fights to maintain its lead in all three championships.
A Unique Challenge
The Central European Rally is unlike any other on the WRC calendar. Stretching across Czechia, Germany, and Austria, it covers 302.51 km of competitive distance and presents a unique challenge with its border-crossing format. The rally’s constantly changing tarmac surfaces keep crews on their toes, with pace notes becoming even more critical as car setups struggle to adjust to the varied terrain.
Autumn weather in the region adds further unpredictability, potentially turning high-grip tarmac into slippery, treacherous roads. Hyundai’s drivers are well aware of the conditions they may face and are preparing accordingly.
“Last year we had a great victory at the very first Central European Rally,” said Neuville. “We know we perform well on tarmac, and winning in Germany was super cool for the whole team. Despite difficult conditions, we performed well. Because of the stage changes, we need to do some video work to get a good feel of the new areas.”
Tänak echoed similar sentiments, noting the importance of adaptability in such an event. “I enjoy the type of roads at the Central European Rally the most of all tarmac rallies,” he said. “The weather will play a critical role this year, as Austria and Germany have roads between fields with many junctions, while the Czech roads are usually in forests with broken tarmac and cuts.”
Mikkelsen, too, is eagerly anticipating the challenge. “I remember the Central European Rally well from last year—it’s where we clinched the WRC2 title. The conditions are demanding with gravel and mud being pulled onto the road, but I’m looking forward to it. I’ll have a different approach this time, aiming for a good result to help the team maintain its lead.”
New Stages, New Obstacles
The 2024 edition of the Central European Rally introduces three new stages: Granit und Wald (SS9/12; 20.05 km), Beyond Borders (SS10/13; 24.33 km), and Am Hochwald (SS15/18; 14.87 km). These additions, along with a revamped Strašín stage (SS4/7; 26.69 km), promise to test even the most experienced drivers.
For Hyundai Motorsport, the stakes are clear. “We need to maintain our lead in all three championships, and a clean performance at the Central European Rally is essential,” said Hyundai Motorsport president and team principal Cyril Abiteboul. “Thierry won here last year, and we know how strong he is on tarmac, so anything is possible across the weekend. Ott finished third here last year, and we know tarmac is a surface that Andreas can push on, particularly following his WRC2 title win at the event in 2023.”
Weekend at a Glance
The Central European Rally kicks off on Thursday with the 2.55 km Velká Chuchle and 11.78 km Klatovy 1 stages. Friday’s stages cover 110.64 km of Czech roads, including the weekend’s longest test: SS4/7 Strašín (26.69 km). Saturday promises the longest day of competition, with 123.46 km of stages, including the cross-border SS10/13 Beyond Borders (24.33 km), traversing both Germany and Austria.
The final day features four stages: SS15/17 Knaus Tabbert Am Hochwald (12.17 km) and SS16/18 Passauer Land (14.87 km), rounding off a gruelling and potentially game-changing weekend for the championship contenders.
As the season draws to a dramatic close, Hyundai Motorsport is ready to fight for glory on the European stage. With strong performances across the board and a determination to secure the top spots in the championship standings, the Central European Rally promises to be a pivotal moment in the 2024 WRC season.
