Thierry Neuville says his World Rally Championship future past 2025 will possible be decided by Hyundai’s WRC plans as he doesn’t see himself “occurring with one other model”.
The WRC factors chief has signed a brand new one-year extension that may take him right into a twelfth season with the Korean marque.
Nonetheless, the Belgian’s WRC future past 2025 is unclear with Hyundai but to substantiate its dedication to the WRC for 2026, amid hypothesis the model might go away the championship and be part of the World Endurance Championship.
Neuville has beforehand acknowledged a need to signal a two-year deal but it surely seems Hyundai’s unsure future has resulted in solely a one-year extension. The 36-year-old, whereas pleased to safe his future for one more season, admitted that there have been even some preliminary worries about securing this new contract.
“It’s nice information. I am very pleased to proceed my most popular sport with the fervour and the keenness I nonetheless have, so I’m wanting ahead to it,” Neuville instructed Motorsport.com.
“Clearly the truth that the contract is signed is an effective level and I need not fear about that anymore.
“Sooner or later, certain, I feel we had been all frightened. Nonetheless, now it is official, we’ll proceed, and I feel it is also vital information for the workforce members as effectively.”
Podium: Thierry Neuville, Martijn Wydaeghe, Hyundai World Rally Workforce Hyundai i20 N Rally1
Picture by: Austral / Hyundai Motorsport
When requested if there was an possibility of a two-year deal, he revealed that there’s the chance he could possibly be with the workforce longer than his new phrases of his new settlement.
“We do not go into extra particulars, however alternatives shall be there, but it surely is not going to rely on us, so I consider that we should see what the way forward for the workforce is. We could possibly be there for longer,” he mentioned.
Pressed on if he had began to consider his future past 2025, he replied: “Under no circumstances, as a result of, like I mentioned, there may be alternative for extra. For the time being, it is too early to know what would be the way forward for the groups in WRC and the class itself. So I consider that it is too early to know.”
Nonetheless, given the uncertainty round Hyundai’s WRC future past 2025, Neuville mentioned that the model’s resolution whether or not to remain or go away the WRC might finally determine the way forward for his personal rallying profession within the prime flight.
“Clearly, for me it would not be a catastrophe to not be there anymore after so a few years, however alternatively, if clearly Hyundai retire it might most likely be a degree for me to retire as effectively. I’ve finished so lengthy with them and I’ve loved that point. For the time being I do not see myself occurring with one other model, however who is aware of?”
Neuville has beforehand proven curiosity in competing in classes exterior of the WRC, having raced in TCR Germany in 2019. Whereas he revealed that sooner or later he might contemplate a substitute for rally, the WRC is the place he needs to compete within the close to future.
“Sooner or later [I could consider Rally Raid or circuit racing], however actually talking, if I do one thing I wish to do it professionally. For the time being the place I could make one of the best of continues to be in WRC. It is the place I am one of the best and the place the workforce wants me essentially the most. So, that is the place to be in the mean time,” he mentioned.
Thierry Neuville, Martijn Wydaeghe, Hyundai World Rally Workforce Hyundai i20 N Rally1
Picture by: Crimson Bull Content material Pool
Looking forward to subsequent season, Neuville will drive a closely upgraded i20 N Rally, due to the deployment of homologation jokers, because the workforce goals to resurrect a number of the plans it had for its new automobile undertaking that was deserted amid the 2025 FIA technical guidelines U-turn earlier this 12 months.
Neuville has already begun testing a number of the updates forward of their 2025 debut.
“The goal of the workforce to be aggressive subsequent 12 months. So I feel in the event that they keep it up with signing quick drivers it is as a result of they wish to be aggressive and that’s the reason they’ve determined to place some jokers on the automobile,” he added.
