Hyundai signed Breen to share its third manufacturing unit i20 N alongside veteran Sordo this season. The latter has been a mainstay of the squad for the reason that marque’s return to the WRC in 2014, transferring to a part-time position in 2018.
Sordo was introduced to pilot the third automotive at this weekend’s Rally Portugal earlier than Breen’s tragic passing whereas testing for the fourth spherical of the championship in Croatia final month.
The staff revealed final week that the Spaniard may also compete within the subsequent spherical in Sardinia subsequent month, however plans for the third automotive are but to be introduced.
Crew principal Cyril Abiteboul advised Motorsport.com that the staff is assessing its choices concerning its driver line-up, with a deal with the long-term future a key variable.
“One factor that I can affirm is that Dani won’t be doing the entire rallies and our line-up can be introduced in the end and is within the means of being constructed,” stated Abiteboul.
“We’re trying into it however it’s too early to make a selected announcement. The one factor I can say is that we’re not simply trying into this yr we’re taking a look at the place we need to be subsequent yr and the yr after that.
“I do not need to see the train that we’ve to do in a really unlucky circumstance as a spot filling train. I need to see that as a strategic resolution for the staff and for the corporate.
“We’ve got received hope and expectation to be right here for the long run, that’s the reason we are able to solely have a look at this query of driver line-up for the rest of this season with the attitude of a long-term influence on the staff.”
Cyril Abiteboul, Crew principal Hyundai World Rally Crew
Photograph by: Fabien Dufour / Hyundai Motorsport
Abiteboul hinted {that a} youthful driver is maybe the more than likely possibility, but additionally stated that five-time WRC rally winner Kris Meeke is a consideration.
The Northern Irishman has been invited by Hyundai Crew Portugal to face in for Breen for the squad’s Portuguese Rally Championship programme which Breen had been contesting alongside his WRC commitments.
Meeke can be joined by Breen’s former co-driver James Fulton for the newest spherical of the championship that takes place at Rally Portugal this weekend.
“In a sure situation he [Kris] may very well be thought-about however we’ve received many various situations,” Abiteboul added.
“We actually fascinated by the long run in our planning which offers you a sign of the place we’re trying.”
When requested if a youthful driver was the staff’s consideration, he added: “It is a query that we’re within the means of forming an opinion, together with the very high administration of Hyundai headquarters in Korea, is whether or not we’re taking a look at this yr and this yr solely or whether or not we’re trying into long run plans.
“I’ve been amazed by the issue for a driver to maneuver from Rally2 to Rally1. I believe that’s one thing that should be mirrored into our technique.”
Whereas Hyundai has returned to operating three automobiles this weekend after withdrawing its third automotive out of respect to Breen in Croatia, the staff is continuous to pay tribute to its absent driver.
The #ForCraig message stays on the staff’s service park construction and its automobiles which have returned to Hyundai’s conventional colors after operating a particular tribute livery in Croatia. Sordo is operating a particular tribute crash helmet this weekend.
