Neuville: More speed to come from i20 in 2023

Neuville scored two of the team’s five wins in what was a record-breaking season for the Korean manufacturer, but the Belgian is confident there’s more pace to come from the car he and Esapekka Lappi will drive full-time next season.

“We made a good turnaround in the middle of the year,” said Neuville. “The season was challenging, but the wins we took have come as a boost for the whole team – but we all know there is more work to do with the car and more work for all of the team.

“I think we can be proud of the results we made this year, but next year we know the [other] teams are going to be hard to beat and we have another job to do next year. Every rally will be a big fight and we have to be ready for that.

“Like everybody in the team, I am ready for this challenge and I will keep pushing.”

After winning back-to-back manufacturers’ titles in 2019 and 2020, the Alzenau-based team has lost the makes’ race to Toyota for the last two years. A drivers’ title has eluded Hyundai going into its 10th season with the i20.

As well as Neuville and Lappi in full-time cars, Hyundai’s third 2023 i20 N Rally1 will be shared between the returning Craig Breen and Hyundai long-termer Dani Sordo, who has been with the squad since it began its WRC journey in 2014.