Hyundai Motorsport has confirmed four drivers for the 2022 season of the FIA World Rally Championship and now have announced the two drivers who will drive the third new Hyundai i20 N Rally1 car as the regulations changes to hybrid for next year.
It has previously been confirmed that Thierry Neuville and Ott Tänak, who drive for the team full-time, will enter for another season, but in the third car there will be changes.
Since the Irishman Craig Breen leaves the team and moves to M-Sport next season, Oliver Solberg will replace him, the Swede who started his career with the team at the end of 2020 will now get a part-time seat in the Rally1 class.
Solberg has now during this season driven three rounds in Hyundai’s second team 2C Competition beside his bet in the WRC2 class but now jumps over to the factory team where he shares the car with Dani Sordo from Spain.
“It’s a dream come true to be able to climb into the third WRC car to do selected events together with Dani Sordo. It is really cool. I also have the other team-mates, Thierry and Ott, who are great people to learn from and who have great experience. I’m only just 20, so it’s a huge step so early in my career. I am really looking forward to it, and finding out what events I will do. I am excited to drive the new era of car, the Rally1; it’s definitely a special time to be involved in WRC.” Solberg said.
Sordo has been driving for the team for a long time, ever since the team made a comeback but he has never taken part full-time and goes in to another season part-time for the team, he has only won two races for the team in 2019 and 2020, both in Rally Italia Sardinia.
“I have said many times before that Hyundai Motorsport is like a family to me, so I am pleased to continue my career with them into the new hybrid era of WRC. We have been working together for many years and we have shared some important moments. I am looking forward to even more to come as we prepare for fresh challenges. It is important to have consistency as we face new regulations, but we are also fortunate to have new talent like Oliver with us on this new adventure. I am excited.” Sordo said.
“We are pleased to confirm Dani and Oliver in our third car for next season, alongside Thierry and Ott. We think it’s the best compromise between experience and youth, and the ideal mix for a new era of WRC. Not only will Dani drive a selected number of events, but he will also be working with us on events when Oliver steps in.” Andrea Adamo, Team Principal of Hyundai Motorsport, added.
“His approach to racing and his extensive experience will be a great asset to our team when our learning curve with new regulations will be high. We will have important continuity and mutual trust; it is also good to have new blood like Oliver, alongside the experience that our existing crews will bring. We will undoubtedly have a very strong line-up as we embark on a fresh chapter for Hyundai Motorsport.”
