Hyundai Motorsport won the second consecutive
FIA World Rally Championship (WRC) constructors' title after the double
podium he won at the Monza Rally, the last race of the season. Ott Tänak
completed a tough weekend by finishing second, with Dani
Sordo in third place.
In one of the most challenging and enjoyable rallies of the
season, with rainy and often wintry conditions dominating the special
routes, Hyundai Motorsport secured 33 points by taking second place in the
title by five points.
Tänak and his co-driver Martin Järveoja won
in second place, swapping places with Sordo and Carlos del Barrio. If
and no crew pressed for seats, they continued to exchange seats until
the Power Stage with the Estonians just ahead of the Spaniards
their teammates.
Thierry Neuville and his co-driver Nicolas Gilsoul
were forced to withdraw from the rally on the first day in extremely difficult
conditions and did not continue. It was not ideal conditions for the completion of the
season of the Belgian crew, which opened the 2020 season with a victory in the
Monte Carlo in January.
During the enforced period lockdown, as we are facing worldwide
the COVID-19 pandemic, the team continued to work tirelessly under the
regulations to identify and implement major technological improvements.
When the season restarted with the brand new Estonian Rally,
it was Tänak and Järveoja who took advantage, driving a
1-2 score with teammates Craig Breen and Paul Nagle. Covering the
difference in the title chase, the revitalised Hyundai Motorsport continued to
shows impressive pace on the notoriously tough dirt roads of the Rally
Turkey, adding another double podium to her tally.
The team showed its credentials in Sardinia by getting
another 1-2 result, with Sordo and Del Barrio scoring the second
their victory for the team, repeating their success. The result prompted
Hyundai Motorsport, creating the right conditions for the final
triumphant showdown in Monza.
Hyundai Motorsport GmbH President Scott Noh said:
"What a rally to end the season! It was an exciting finale. At Hyundai
Motorsport, we have the honour to finish the year at the top of the table
of the manufacturers and win our second consecutive WRC title. This result
is another important milestone moment for Hyundai Motor Company, but also
at the same time particularly painful considering what we have all faced in the
this year. We have put all our energy into this season and thank you
every member of Hyundai Motorsport and all of Hyundai worldwide for supporting
their. We look forward to brighter days and greater success in 2021".
The Head of the Group Mr. Andrea Adamo he commented: "Η Monza is very emotional for me
and it brings back a lot of personal memories. It was a difficult year. I had to
make sure that our team - my people - have ongoing support. To come
in Monza and getting our second title is wonderful and an extremely
special moment to appreciate. It is a result that we will share
with their entire organization and their families. Each member of the team has
pushed very hard to make the most of the situation and improve
our performance. We started strong in Monte Carlo - a really special
moment for all of us - and since we came back after the summer, we were very
competitive. We knew that we had to make the most of our strengths
and we returned to the top of the league with our performance, perseverance
and our hard work. I'm proud to be at the helm of such an incredible
team and that I carry the flag of Hyundai in motor sport. The
my thanks go to FIA and the WRC Promoter for their efforts this year in
in these difficult circumstances. "
Ο Tänak stated: "Our first priority with
τον Dani was to ensure that we complete
the rally to secure the manufacturers' title for the Hyundai Motorsport. It was a really difficult rally
from the beginning. We had to endure extremely difficult conditions in difficult
and rough roads. It was challenging, but we achieved our goal for the team
and we can now celebrate together. "
Sordo commented: "The goal all weekend was to
to secure the result we needed for the championship of the
manufacturers. It was an incredibly difficult race, but we managed a double
result on the podium. For me, it wasn't important whether I was in second or
third place. We just needed the result for the team. It was a hard effort. The team has
come a long way and now we can celebrate a second championship title
all together. "
Neuville said : "A very special season is coming to an end.
Maybe it wasn't the championship one expected at the beginning of the year because of the pandemic
Covid19, but we achieved our goal of taking the title
of manufacturers for the second consecutive year. This is an amazing result
for everyone at Hyundai Motorsport and I'm happy to be part of this team.
The weekend in Monza didn't go well for me and Nicolas but in the end we won the title. Thanks to every
team member for their hard work and dedication. It's time to
celebrate! "
