Hyundai WRT

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Originally Posted by Andre Oliveira

Monte-Carlo Paddon
Sweden Lappi
Kenya
Croatia
Islas Canarias
Portugal Sordo
Japan
Greece
Estonia
Finland Lappi
Paraguay
Chile
Sardegna
Saudi Arabia

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Sordo also in the Canaries as his first outing.

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Originally Posted by flat_right

So what would have been your idea in this situation? What were the options considering their goal i.e winning a championship?

In my opinion they did great job. Lappi can drive but just not full season, Sordo has always been solid and I think Paddon has the most hunger of all to prove something.

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Compare to the Toyota, they have a junior support (Pajari, later Solberg and TGR WRC Challenge Program), so in this case like Rovanpera leave, they can use Solberg to fill an empty seat. Hyundai is using same names to fill empty space. This is not a futureproof solution

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Originally Posted by tbazsi95

Compare to the Toyota, they have a junior support (Pajari, later Solberg and TGR WRC Challenge Program), so in this case like Rovanpera leave, they can use Solberg to fill an empty seat. Hyundai is using same names to fill empty space. This is not a futureproof solution

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There is nothing to compare, Hyundai doesn't have a Junior program at the moment.

I'll ask my question again - what would have been your driver decision in this situation? It's really easy to critique...

Congratulations to toyota on becoming 2026 world champions.
Maybe Hyundai wants to set a record and let toyota win every rally next year.

Good news for Paddon and he'll be back in the WRC ready for 2027 (in the i20 Rally2 he's developed).

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Originally Posted by tbazsi95

Hyundai doesn't have any plans or idea about this WRC campaign. Using same drivers, dropping same drivers, get same result, no junior support. This is a circle.

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They aren't sure about staying for some time, so for 2026 they had to stay with drivers with experience of the Rally1 car.

If a decision is made for staying long-term then they can plan with junior drivers.

Congrats for Paddon, Sordo and of course Lappi. If they will win manufacturers title and just maybe drivers again, Ott will scratch his head.

This team never learns

Clown masks on again

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Originally Posted by EstWRC

This team never learns

Clown masks on again

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What's wrong with you, what do you want them to do? Hiring Gryazin to destroy all of their cars?

I am very glad about Paddon. Those who remember, he came into WRC through the same Pirelli Star Drive as Tanak. He did not deserve to be dropped by Hyundai first time.

Others - Hyundai goes all in, Team Championship or bust.

Unknown - how those 3 old foxes will be able handle that car.