Hyundai's WRC future confirmed for 2026 season
Hyundai ends all remaining doubt as it confirms its WRC programme for next season
Thierry Neuville, Martijn Wydaeghe, Hyundai World Rally Team Hyundai i20 N Rally1
Photo by: Austral / Hyundai Motorsport
Hyundai Motorsport has confirmed it will continue its factory World Rally Championship programme next year.
The Korean marque’s future competing in rallying’s top tier has been the subject of speculation for several months. However, in recent weeks Hyundai’s management had been making positive comments regarding its 2026 future.
On the eve of this week’s Rally Finland, Hyundai has now confirmed it will continue in 2026. Hyundai’s future beyond that remains unclear as the WRC prepares to usher in all new technical regulations for 2027.
Hyundai has been operating a factory programme in the WRC since 2014, but speculation regarding its future mounted when the brand announced its plans to move into the World Endurance Championship, under the Genesis brand, from next year.
“We are pleased to confirm that Hyundai Motorsport will continue its participation in the FIA World Rally Championship in 2026," read a brief statement from Hyundai Motorsport president Cyril Abiteboul.
“This decision reflects the strong momentum we’ve built in recent events and the regulatory support from the FIA, which will allow us to further develop our Rally1 car and remain competitive at the highest level.
“This additional season also gives us the time to shape the future of Hyundai Motorsport with greater confidence.”
Adrien Fourmaux, Alexandre Coria, Hyundai World Rally Team Hyundai i20 N Rally1
Photo by: Red Bull Content Pool
The news has arrived after the WRC revealed its 2026 calendar, which coincided with news that the FIA has confirmed that the Rally1 technical regulations will continue to the end of its intended homologation cycle next year.
The FIA also announced that all Rally1 teams would be issued with two extra homologation jokers which can be used to develop all areas of their vehicles.
“There are no official registrations yet made, but there is no reason to think that somebody should be leaving the championship," said FIA technical director Xavier Mestelan Pinon in a media roundtable earlier today.
“And I would say that we were quite confident, especially because, as requested by all the manufacturers, we allowed two new jokers to allow them to upgrade the car for the point that it needs to be, to make them comfortable.
“It was something that was requested, not only by Hyundai. I would say that we tick the box also for this point.”
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