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Hyundai Motorsport WRC team for 2023
Hyundai Motorsport WRC team for 2023
Hyundai Motorsport has revealed a four-crew, three-car line-up for the 2023 FIA World Rally Championship (WRC), with new and returning faces contesting the company?s tenth season in rallying?s top competition. Joining the already confirmed Thierry Neuville for a complete season will be Finnish driver Esapekka Lappi.
The 2017 Rally Finland winner has claimed three podiums in a part-time 2022 campaign, finishing third on snow in Sweden, on gravel in Finland and on tarmac in Ypres.
A third Hyundai i20 N Rally1 will be shared between the highly experienced Spaniard Dani Sordo and Irishman Craig Breen. Sordo has been with Hyundai Motorsport since the company?s inaugural season in the WRC and has played an integral part in its growth and development. Breen formerly drove for the team between 2019-2021, taking four podium finishes.
Hyundai Motorsport president Sean Kim said: ?Experience has been the priority for our 2023 WRC line-up. With Thierry, Esapekka, Dani and Craig, we have a strong combination of drivers who can lead us into a new season. We ended the 2022 championship with a 1-2 result in Rally Japan, but next year we will face fresh competition from our rivals. We fully expect the experience and talent of our crews to help us perform at the highest level in all events.?
Deputy team director Julien Moncet said: ?We are pleased to confirm our complete driver line-up for the 2023 WRC season with a three-car line-up and four experienced crews. With Thierry, we know his performance potential and his appetite to fight for the drivers? title. With Esapekka joining the team on a full-time campaign, we have a driver line-up that can compete for the top positions at all events and on all surfaces.