Hyundai Shell Mobis WRT is expected to announce the 2023 driver line-up next week with Esapekka Lappi rumored to have signed to drive the second Hyundai i20 N Rally1 alongside Thierry Neuville.
With Ott Tänak announcing he is parting ways with Hyundai after Rally Japan and Oliver Solberg who will not renew the contract for next year have opened up two seats in the South Korean team. Lappi is expected to become the replacer for the 2019 WRC champion and the move will see Lappi leave Toyota Gazoo Racing WRT having returned to WRC with a part-time program this year.
As for the third and shared car, Spanish news sources have told Dani Sordo will continue to drive selected rallies. The multiple podium finisher this season has hinted he will do eight rallies in total, which leads to another seat being filled up. It is understood that Teemu Suninen who is driving in the WRC2 team for Hyundai, is among the candidates for the shared drive.
However, 2021 WRC2 champion Andreas Mikkelsen, M-Sport’s Craig Breen, and former factory Toyota and Citroen driver Kris Meeke are thought to have been on the team’s shortlist.
The line-up for Toyota and M-Sport are also expected to be announced over the next few days after the 2022 season-finale in Japan.
