Hyundai’s Chance for Redemption at Croatia Rally

After a heart-stopping Safari Rally in Kenya, Hyundai Motorsport gears up for a shot at redemption on the slippery and unpredictable roads of the Croatia Rally. Scheduled from April 18 to 21, this tarmac thriller serves as the fourth chapter in the 2024 FIA World Rally Championship saga, promising a blend of high-speed drama and strategic gambits.

Croatia’s rally stages are a far cry from the norm—offering a mix of slick tarmac, sudden crests, and the kind of blind corners that can make or break a racer’s day. With surfaces that swing wildly from glassy smooth to ruinously ragged, drivers are in for a grueling test of skill and nerve.

Weather, too, could play the spoiler, as it has in past rallies here, with downpours transforming the tracks from merely tricky to downright treacherous. This unpredictability could shuffle the pack at any moment, adding an extra layer of suspense.

Representing Hyundai Shell Mobis World Rally Team are three formidable crews: Thierry Neuville alongside Martijn Wydaeghe, Ott Tänak with Martin Järveoja, and the Norwegian duo of Andreas Mikkelsen and Torstein Eriksen. With a track record of two podium finishes each in Croatia, Neuville and Tänak are hungry for more, while Mikkelsen looks to make a strong comeback on the tarmac.

For Neuville and Wydaeghe, the stakes are particularly high as they aim to extend their lead in the championship standings. Their fifth-place finish in Kenya belies their strategic scoring, which has them six points clear at the top—thanks to the new Super Sunday points system and Power Stage bonuses.

This rally also carries a poignant weight, marking one year since the tragic loss of Hyundai Motorsport driver Craig Breen. In his memory, the team’s cars will sport the Irish flag, and an auction benefiting the Craig Breen Foundation will be held, demonstrating the team’s commitment to honoring their late colleague.

Hyundai Motorsport’s president, Cyril Abiteboul, reflects on the unique challenges of the Croatia Rally. “It’s our first full tarmac event this year, but not our first dance with this surface, thanks to a milder Rallye Monte-Carlo earlier,” he said. “The Hyundai i20 N Rally1 Hybrid has shown promising performance on tarmac, and we’re confident in our drivers’ abilities to chase podium finishes, making a strong statement in memory of Craig.”

Crew Insights

Thierry Neuville/Martijn Wydaeghe: Neuville describes Croatia as one of the most demanding tarmac rallies he’s ever faced, with its unique mix of wide and narrow stages mirroring the rainy roads of Belgium, offering him a slice of familiarity amidst the challenge.

Ott Tänak/Martin Järveoja: For Tänak, the Croatia Rally is a rare treat. The combination of low grip, dirty surfaces, and unexpected elevations makes for a thrilling ride. He aims to leverage his Monte-Carlo experience to perfect the car’s balance and maximize performance.

Andreas Mikkelsen/Torstein Eriksen: Returning to the Hyundai fold for this WRC round, Mikkelsen is optimistic but cautious, aware that the shifting grip and weather will demand sharp focus and impeccable pace notes. Starting from a disadvantageous road position, especially in the wet, poses an additional hurdle.

Looking Ahead

The rally kicks off with a ceremonial start in Zagreb, followed by the longest day of racing on Friday, covering 119.74 km without midday service. The event concludes on Sunday with a dramatic Power Stage, setting the scene for a potentially game-changing weekend.

As the engines rev and the tires screech, all eyes will be on Hyundai Motorsport, hoping to witness a thrilling comeback on Croatia’s challenging tarmac. Will they triumph against the odds, or will the slippery roads dictate another outcome? Only time will tell, but one thing is certain: the Croatia Rally will be a spectacle of speed and strategy.

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