Hyundai enters factory WRC 2 team

January 14, 2020 0 Comments

Hyundai Motorsport will increase its commitment to the FIA World Rally Championship in 2020 with the addition of a two-car entry into the WRC 2 category.

The reigning WRC manufacturers’ champions will field two of its latest specification Hyundai i20 R5 ’20 cars in at least eight events throughout 2020, starting at Rallye Monte-Carlo (January 23-26).

23-year old Norwegian Ole Christian Veiby (pictured) and 22-year old Russian Nikolay Gryazin will line up in the cars alongside their respective co-drivers Jonas Andersson and Yaroslav Fedorov.

Both crews have proven their talent in the competitive WRC 2 category last year; Veiby triumphed in Rally Sweden while Gryazin was victorious in Finland.

Estonia-based RedGrey Team will run the operation, which will be formally entered as Hyundai Motorsport N. Both crews began their preparations for Rallye Monte-Carlo with a test in the Gap region of France last month, getting acquainted with the i20 R5 ’20 and its Pirelli tyres.

Team Principal Andrea Adamo said: “Entering WRC 2 is an important decision for Hyundai Motorsport for a number of reasons. Firstly, it reaffirms and strengthens our commitment to the WRC as a whole. On the technical side, it will also allow us to prove the competitiveness and performance of our recently upgraded i20 R5 ’20 – the product of tremendous hard work by our Customer Racing department. Having the opportunity to put the car through its paces on the various terrains of the championship in front of rally fans around the world will be very rewarding. We look forward to working with RedGrey Team and our two young and ambitious drivers.”

Ole Christian Veiby said: “It feels really good to be joining Hyundai Motorsport. I think we are going to be a very competitive team! I can’t wait to get started. It’s no secret that the goal is always to be on the top step; I think we have the potential to be that strong, and to do really well together as a team. I also hope the experience I have picked up from a lot of different R5 cars will be valuable for the development of the i20 R5.”

Nikolay Gryazin said: “This is aa fantastic opportunity for Yaroslav and me to join the championship-winning team in 2020! It is great to feel their motivation and support of me for this WRC 2 program. Joining a manufacturer is another step in my career and I am convinced I will be able to move onto other levels with Hyundai Motorsport in the future. I am fully committed to achieving the best results with the team. I admire what Hyundai has accomplished and all the hard work that led them to become champions. I am sure my teammates will be able to teach me a lot of things. I would like to thank Hyundai Motorsport and Andrea Adamo for entrusting this program to me.”

Ole Christian Veiby wears a STILO WRC DES ZERO 8860 helmet.