Hyundai WRT

[mknight]

Hyundai wanted two top drivers in their team to fight for the title back in 2017 when they hired Mikkelsen for 18/19

This example actually demonstrates the problem.
As you said Hyundai were (based on the 3 2017 outings in I20) expecting that Mikkelsen would fight for championship. So he was allowed to push on start of the season and this resulted in him taking points off Neuville in Sweden Power Stage. (and both him and Sordo took points off Neuville in Mexico right after)

Sure it was just one point in Sweden, but by the end of the season Neuville was very vocal that Hyundai needs to use teamorders immediately from the start. Ogier got teamorders that helped him move ahead of Evans already early in Sweden (and then a few times later on).

So based on Neuvilles and Tanaks results so far it is entirely likely that they will get free reign at the start... and potentially take points off each other that will help Ogier get a title.

EDIT: Btw. Neuville did get a lot of team order help this year already starting from Sweden, with basically no Hyundai being allowed to push on any PS unless there were special circumstances and also given a position multiple times.