The same time Citroen Racing announced Northern Irishman Kris Meeke as a
full-time factory driver
for the 2014 World Rally Championship, series newcomer Hyundai has confirmed its driver line-up for next season.
The squad - officially called the Hyundai Shell World Rally Team - will be led by Belgian youngster Thierry Neuville. The 25-year-old finished as runner-up in the 2013 Drivers' standings, scoring seven podium results along the way and challenging for rally wins on a regular basis. Neuville was confirmed as Hyundai's lead driver some weeks ago, but at a press conference in Frankfurt today three additional drivers were unveiled with part-time roles. Spaniard Dani Sordo, winner of this season's Rally Germany, will share the second Hyundai i20 WRC with highly rated Finn Juho Hanninen and former Subaru works driver Chris Atkinson.
Official livery and Shell backing revealed
The team took the opportunity to outline its objectives for its debut WRC season. Competing against vastly experienced opposition in the form of Citroen Racing, Volkswagen Motorsport and M-Sport Ford, Hyundai hopes to finish every rally with both cars as it bids to gain experience of the championship.
"We have worked tremendously hard to get where we are today and to be able to launch our new WRC team to the world," explains Team Principal of Hyundai Motorsport GmbH, Michel Nandan. "In less than one year, we have built and tested a brand new WRC-specification car, the Hyundai i20 WRC, and established a professional team and modern motorsport facility. It's a huge accomplishment but we know that we have a lot to learn in our first season. Our aims for 2014 are realistic: we want to finish each rally with both cars and build up a database of information and experience so we can develop ourselves into prospective rally winners in the future. If all goes well, we will hope to be competing for occasional podiums as the year progresses."
Neuville and Sordo will debut the i20 WRC on Rallye Monte Carlo (January 16-18) where the 2014 season gets underway. "I am really excited at the prospect of helping Hyundai Motorsport to integrate itself into the tough WRC environment," said the Belgian. "It is an honour to be representing a manufacturer like Hyundai Motor Company but also to have the extra responsibility of leading the team in our first season. I am looking forward to Monte Carlo. I can already feel the professionalism, motivation and passion of this team so although it will be a steep learning curve, I am sure it will be a positive one."
Hyundai also announced a new 'N' performance sub-brand, which will eventually spawn a series of sporting road cars.