Just two weeks after scoring a monumental 1-2-3 finish at the Acropolis Rally in Greece, Hyundai Motorsport is in South America for round 11 of the 2024 FIA World Rally Championship (WRC) season, Rally Chile. The team is looking to make further gains in the championship fight over the coming weekend at the only Latin American round of the year.
Hyundai Shell Mobis World Rally Team is aiming to capitalise on its recent podium clean sweep as it heads to the final gravel event of the season. While the result has given the team an extension of its lead in the standings, Hyundai Motorsport isn’t taking anything for granted with three events still remaining.
A treacherous surface, Rally Chile’s loose gravel and fast-flowing stages quickly become abrasive after the first few runners take to the road. A precise, stable car setup and determined crews are needed to conquer the 306,76 km event, with the risk of retirement looming around every turn. Weather conditions could also play a role in the weekend: with the event taking place in the southern hemisphere’s springtime, the sudden appearance of rain could stall a crew’s progress across a stage.
All three Hyundai Motorsport crews are looking to capitalise on the team’s momentum from Greece. Finns Esapekka Lappi and Janne Ferm returning to the third Hyundai i20 N Rally1 Hybrid for the first time since Rally Finland – an event in which the crew topped the Super Sunday standings. Lappi has contested the event twice, with a best finish of sixth position in 2019.
Leaving Chile with a clean weekend and a maximum points haul is the goal for Thierry Neuville, as the Belgian aims to maintain his lead in the championship fight. Team-mate Ott Tänak will be looking to deliver a hat-trick of wins on the Chilean roads, having stood on the top step at the only two previous editions of the event in 2019 and 2023.
Hyundai Motorsport President and Team Principal Cyril Abiteboul said: “While we approach Rally Chile with both optimism and momentum, we are also going into the event with great caution. Greece was a fantastic display of what can be achieved with great team-work, but it is imperative we do not lose focus in the final events of the season.
“The Hyundai i20 N Rally1 Hybrid has demonstrated its robustness and reliability at other gravel rallies this season, so we want to end the final event on this surface strongly before our return to tarmac. Every point counts so we need to be at the spearhead of the classification by Saturday evening before we assess how much we need to push on Sunday. We want to protect the advantage we have in all three standings as a priority, but we still want to push for wins and podiums too.”
Crew Notes: Thierry Neuville/ Martijn Wydaeghe
Neuville said: “Rally Chile is similar to some of the other gravel events we have faced this season, but the stages can vary a lot. We were able to really enjoy the drive last year and finish on the podium to make our weekend even better. We need a lot of traction from the car, particularly with our road position, but it also needs to be resistant to bumpier sections because the risk of punctures in Chile is high. The last three rounds are going to be about managing the gap and Chile is an important event for that. We need to come away with good points before going to the tarmac rounds where we know we can do well.”
Crew Notes: Ott Tänak/Martin Järveoja
Tänak said: “The last time we were in Chile, the roads were very abrasive, which was challenging for tyre management but not so hard on the car. At the same time, it was quite demanding for the drivers with a mix of fast and slow sections – similar to Finland. There is a bit of everything in this event, but it’s a driver’s rally – it’s all about performance. Experience is always good, but it’s difficult to take anything forward from our win last year in a new car with a new team.”
Crew Notes: Esapekka Lappi/Janne Ferm
Lappi said: “I am feeling prepared for Chile, we did some testing in Finland prior to Acropolis so we have had some important seat time in the car fairly recently. The surface is quite unique: there is a lot of loose gravel, but it can also be abrasive when the road section begins to be cleaned. A good setup and perfect pace notes are crucial to fast times at this event. I am excited to be back in the car and I am hoping to bring a lot of points home for the team.”
Rally Chile begins with a ceremonial start in Plaza de la Independencia, Concepción, on Thursday evening, 26 September, and ends on Sunday 29 September.
