Friday | 26 Jun 2015

Abbring addition takes Hyundai to four

Hyundai Motorsport will field four cars for the first time at next week’s new-look 72nd LOTOS Rally Poland (2 - 5 July).

Thierry Neuville and Dani Sordo will fly the flag as usual for the Korean manufacturer’s lead team, while Hayden Paddon will be joined for the first time by Kevin Abbring in the second string Hyundai Mobis line-up.

The Dutchman received a late call-up for February’s Rally Sweden when an injury to Sordo meant a reshuffle, but Poland marks the first of four scheduled WRC rounds for him in the second part of the FIA World Rally Championship season.

Neuville, who finished third in Poland’s WRC return last year, and Sordo will drive an upgraded i20 World Rally Car, with the team expecting a new camshaft in the engine to deliver a performance boost.

Team principal Michel Nandan acknowledged the added difficulty of running four cars but aims to build on the double podium at Rally Italia Sardegna earlier this month, when Paddon starred to finish second ahead of Neuville.

“It will be a new challenge for our team as we tackle an already tricky rally with an extra car, but it’s something to which we are looking forward. We had a fantastic result in Sardinia with two cars on the podium after great performances from all drivers over the weekend, and especially from Hayden.

“It would be great to repeat the podium from last year and continue our performance from Sardinia,” he said.

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