Hyundai set to stay in WRC for 2026, question marks remain for 2027

Hyundai has given its clearest indication yet that it is gearing up to continue in the World Rally Championship until at least the end of 2026.

There have been question marks surrounding its short-term and long-term future in rallying’s top tier that first surfaced last year when it confirmed plans to embark on a programme in the World Endurance Championship from 2026 under the Genesis umbrella.

Uncertainty over Hyundai’s future had led to suggestions that the Rally1 category could be scrapped a season before the end of its five-year cycle in favour of Rally2 as the top class should the Korean manufacturer choose to leave at the end of the season.

While Hyundai is still not content with the direction the WRC is taking with the 2027 regulations, the brand’s president and WRC team principal Cyril Abiteboul said at Rally Portugal last month that he was optimistic that Hyundai’s WRC programme would continue into 2026.

Speaking at this weekend’s Rally Sardinia, Abiteboul expanded further on the matter.

“It is a natural cycle going into next year so hopefully that is something we will be able to confirm,” he told Autosport.

Should Hyundai confirm its participation in 2026, it would likely ensure that Rally1 regulations will complete its intended five-year rule cycle before the move to the WRC27 ruleset.

Whether Hyundai will be involved in 2027 is still up for discussion with Abiteboul maintaining the stance that the 2027 regulations don’t currently fit with the manufacturer’s objectives.

Abiteboul confirmed that there had not been any further developments regarding the technical regulations that will be in place for a 10-year cycle that will be based around cars built to a cost cap of €345,000, in a bid to encourage more teams and manufacturers to compete.

The vehicles, featuring space frame chassis constructed by manufacturers and tuners, will be largely based on the current Rally2 machinery. Bodywork from almost any scaled production car can be fitted to the safety cell, meaning that hatchbacks could conceivably compete against saloons and SUVs.

Hyundai is yet to start any work on developing a car for 2027 with Abiteboul concerned the new regulations do not provide manufacturers the ability to showcase relevant technology. WRC27 cars will be initially powered by internal combustion engines but there is a framework in place to accommodate other powertrains from 2028 onwards.

“Frankly it has been very quiet and I think the FIA has been clear with what it wants and I respect that. You can’t complain about a lack of leadership when there is leadership and they have made their position clear they want non manufacturers to participate,” Abiteboul added.

“But unfortunately I represent a manufacturer so it is difficult for us to build that connection between the future regulation and us as a manufacturer who wants to promote cars and technology and connectivity, and alternative powertrains. We don’t see any of that.

Adrien Fourmaux, Alexandre Coria, Hyundai World Rally Team Hyundai i20 N Rally1

Photo by: Austral / Hyundai Motorsport

“At some point it may be that the FIA have taken the direction they are not really building the WRC for the necessity of car makers in mind, and I respect that.

“You don’t necessarily need to oppose one [tuners] against the other [manufacturers]. I believe there are ways to cater to both but right now probably these current [Rally1] regulations are more biased toward car makers as only car makers can afford the cost and maybe some of the technology from hybrid. We have seen that there is not enough cars and manufacturers and typically the reaction we have gone the other way around but it is probably a bit too extreme.

“I think the next cycle will be massively biased towards the tuners and I believe the middle ground would have been better. Right now we don’t see how we can build a business case to justify the cost of the new regulations, but we will keep on pushing the FIA and discussing internally.

“I would like to find a way forward because we have built the legacy in WRC for 13 years now and we would like to see it continue but with something that makes more sense for us.”