Whatshot
Hyundai heads to a happy hunting ground in Rally Italia Sardegna
Hyundai heads to a happy hunting ground in Rally Italia Sardegna
Hyundai Motorsport is looking to continue its positive momentum at Rally Italia Sardegna from 31 May to 2 June, the sixth round of the 2024 FIA World Rally Championship (WRC) season, after claiming a first double-podium of the season at Rally de Portugal.
Similarly to round five, Rally Italia Sardegna comprises fast gravel stages that frequently alternate between wide and narrow roads. The picturesque backdrop of the Mediterranean Sea does not quite reflect the nature of the rally: deep ruts and extreme heat push both driver and machine to the limit, with the rough surface creating extremely abrasive conditions. These factors emphasise the importance of tyre choice, with crews looking for reliability and longevity as well as speed.
A brand-new format will be trialled at this year's event. Competitive running will be spread across 48 hours, starting with Shakedown on Friday morning and finishing with the podium ceremony on Sunday afternoon. The condensed time frame also means a shorter overall competitive distance, with the 16 stages totalling just 266,12km. The shorter itinerary means the trio of crews must push their Hyundai i20 N Rally1 Hybrid cars to the limit and make the most of every kilometre.
Hyundai Motorsport president and team principal Cyril Abiteboul said: "Portugal proved to be another positive step forward for the team. From the double podium to claiming the lead of the manufacturers' championship, and even to Ott feeling more at one with the car, there was a lot of good to take away from the event. We go to Sardinia knowing that we have three crews that can push hard on gravel, so we are hoping for a strong result."
The Rally Italia Sardegna begins on Friday morning 31 May with Shakedown, followed by the Osilo - Tergu (25,65km) special stage in the afternoon. Friday's four competitive stages will cover a total of 77,82 km.
Saturday is the longest day of the event, when the crews have to cover 149 km in the space of 12 hours. Sunday concludes the weekend with four stages, including the 7,1 km-long Sassari - Argentiera 2 Power Stage.