Hyundai WRT

[EstWRC]

Those who say that Hyundai is not learning from their past mistakes by choosing those 3 drivers, I'd like to know what would have been the better solution? Was there a better driver (combo) available that would deliver?

Full season for one driver to get the confidence and speed and knowledge with the car

[denkimi]

7+7 events between Lappi and Sordo would probably have been a better choice. With this solution the gaps between rallies might be a bit too long to get up to speed right from the start.

having them all do all events would be the sensible solution.

[AndersX]

There is a probability that the deal with Paddon is with look in future; if H exits, Paddon could run their semi-works team, similar to M-Sport, and similar Solberg is dreaming/working on.

[doubled1978]

Sordo and Lappi are no surprise, Paddon is for me. That said, I am sure they are looking to keep the 3rd car low down the starting order as possible to maximise chances, hence the 3rd driver to stop anyone scoring too many points to move up the order. Even Canaries and Japan won’t punish that on tarmac.
Paddon in for Monte is on the face of it an odd choice, but I suspect it is because as others have said, Sordo hates it, and Lappi will be in Sweden and they want him down the start order there.
I hope Paddon gets a few good runs and some redemption.

[GigiGalliNo1]

I never understood why Hyundaï isn't trying to do for young local drivers like Toyota: aren't there any promising talented south korean drivers for the job

South Korea have a huge rally community and national series?!?

[Fast Eddie WRC]

If I were Hyundai, I'd just hire Sesks. The kid always shows he KNOWS what hes doing, he just need more experience. Thats it. For me it would be a simple decision. Sesks, full time.
Such a shame to have a potential WRC star being left out for another season...

I really hope that this indicates Sesks will be at M-Sport for next season.

[wyler]

i don't understand many of the criticisms i read here. it looks to me very far from reality when speaking about a 3rd drive. i would not put a youngster in a 3rd car that has to bring reliable points. i would want a steady driver to cover from p6/5 or better when others hitting troubles. in that frame, their choice is fair (at least, good for me). they already have a promising young driver and an expert in the top 2 drives. neuville should be reliable, fourmaux is a bit more risky, then they need a steady 3rd car for points. how can they think about gryazin - never been in rally1 and worst result than paddon - or sesk -unproven on tarmac, fast but not consistent yet-. they need people finishing rally and collecting points. they took 2 expert rally1 driver, and the most consistent rally2 driver in europe of the last 2/3 years. looks not bad to me.

[meh]

Yes, all three are "oldies", but I'm glad they all got some outing on the last season of the era. No point in sharing the points before the season starts. I don't have too high hopes for their results, but I hope they are doing well. Paddon and Sordo have been so long time loyal to the brand, that they deserve the seat with their experience and speed. And as Lappi goes with Enni Mälkonen, then I hope Lappi can win an event, and it happens before Pajari wins an event - then Enni can have a win before Pajari. (if you are not aware for some reason, Enni was Pajari's co-driver and together they got the WRC2 title, and then Pajari chose another co-driver).

Special congrats to all Kiwis - you waited for the impossible, and it came.

[Rallyper]

7+7 events between Lappi and Sordo would probably have been a better choice. With this solution the gaps between rallies might be a bit too long to get up to speed right from the start.

We don´t know anything yet. So could still not be called clowns.

[Rallyper]

I never understood why Hyundaï isn't trying to do for young local drivers like Toyota: aren't there any promising talented south korean drivers for the job

You need to go with more than three cars. Toyota used car #4 and #5 for experiments. Maybe also #6 (?). (Katsuta is still an experiment counted in, you could say)