Hyundai World Rally Team Wins Final 2022 WRC Rally in Japan

Taking 1st and 2nd Place in the Season's Final Tournament

[Asia Economy Reporter Kiho Sung] Hyundai Motor Company announced on the 14th that in the final rally of the '2022 World Rally Championship (WRC)', its World Rally Team's 'Thierry Neuville' took 1st place and 'Ott T?nak' took 2nd place, achieving a double podium finish.

In this WRC event held in Japan for the first time in 12 years since the last competition in 2010, Hyundai's World Rally Team participated with three drivers?Thierry Neuville, Ott T?nak, and Daniel Sordo?driving the 'i20 N Rally1 Hybrid' race car.

Since the event was held in Aichi and Gifu prefectures in Japan, many experts predicted a victory for the Toyota team. However, Hyundai's World Rally Team demonstrated resilience by securing a double podium in the final rally, bringing a successful conclusion to the season. Especially considering that the event took place in Toyota City, the hometown of the season-winning Toyota team, experts evaluated Hyundai's victory in the Japan rally as even more valuable.

In this Japan rally, Hyundai's World Rally Team was the only team to use rain tires, anticipating rain on the last day of the race, which allowed them to surpass the Toyota team and stably achieve a double podium finish.

Thierry Neuville, who had a less favorable season compared to last year due to various misfortunes, lifted his second winner's trophy at the final event of the season, the Japan rally, finishing 3rd overall in the driver standings. Based on his extensive driving experience on various courses, Neuville maintained a top position from the middle of the race and led the team to victory. He took the lead at the 13th stage out of 19 stages and delivered Hyundai its fifth victory with a flawless drive, not allowing a single overtaking thereafter.

Ott T?nak, who consistently showed good performance in every competition, also stood on the podium in 2nd place behind his teammate Thierry Neuville at the Japan rally, finishing the season 2nd overall in the driver standings. With this victory, Hyundai's World Rally Team earned a total of 47 points, finishing 2nd overall in the manufacturers' category and signaling a promising outlook for the next season.

A Hyundai official stated, "It is very meaningful to demonstrate Hyundai Motor Company's strength until the very end by achieving a double podium at the Japan rally held for the first time in 12 years," and added, "We will continue to strive to show better performance to motorsports fans next season."

Meanwhile, Hyundai's circuit race car 'Elantra N TCR' (domestic name: Avante N TCR) won both finals of the WTCR Round 8 held over two days on the 11th and 12th (local time) at the Bahrain International Circuit located in the Sakhir desert, Bahrain, signaling a bright prospect for the season championship. 'Mikel Azcona', a driver of the 'BRC Hyundai N Squadra Corse' team competing with the Elantra N TCR race car, crossed the finish line first in the first final race held on the 11th with a record of 33 minutes 34.107 seconds.

Also, 'Norbert Michelisz', competing with the same race car, finished 2nd in the first final race following Azcona and achieved 1st place in the second final race held on the 12th with a record of 29 minutes 04.963 seconds. The BRC Hyundai N Squadra Corse team celebrated winning both final races held in Bahrain.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.