Hyundai Motorsport returns to Central European Rally, the 12th round of the 2025 FIA World Rally Championship (WRC), aiming to extend its winning streak on the challenging tarmac roads that weave through Germany, Austria, and Czechia.

Taking place from October 16–19, the event is known for its border-crossing stages and technical complexity, with crews tackling 306.08 km of competitive distance over 18 demanding stages.

Crossing Borders: A Unique Challenge

The 2025 itinerary introduces a fresh twist: the rally begins in Germany on Thursday evening, before moving across all three host countries on Friday and Saturday. The final day on Sunday will feature the Beyond Borders stage — crossing from Austria to Germany — and Mühltal, serving as both the Power Stage and the longest test of the event.

Hyundai arrives as the defending two-time winner, with Thierry Neuville/Martijn Wydaeghe victorious in 2023 and Ott Tänak/Martin Järveoja taking the win in 2024 — a triumph that sealed the drivers’ and co-drivers’ titles for the team.

Strategic Focus for the Championship Fight

As the season enters its decisive phase, Hyundai is sharpening its strategy. For manufacturers’ points, only the crews of Neuville/Wydaeghe and Adrien Fourmaux/Alexandre Coria will be nominated. This allows the team to provide Tänak/Järveoja with the most competitive setup for their title campaign.

Under current regulations, Tänak and Järveoja will compete in the 2025 Rallye Monte-Carlo-spec Hyundai i20 N Rally1, equipped with a new engine — without incurring a five-minute penalty. The Monte-Carlo configuration, well-suited to tarmac, will give Tänak a crucial edge in the championship chase.

Meanwhile, Neuville and Fourmaux will debut upgrades on their 2025 evo-spec Hyundai i20 N Rally1 cars, featuring new damper struts designed to further enhance handling and stability. Their task will be both to deliver strong results and to continue evolving the car’s performance package ahead of the season finale.

Team Perspective

Cyril Abiteboul, Hyundai Motorsport President and Team Principal, commented:

“We’re fully committed to the championship fight and pushing for every point. In supporting Ott and Martin, we’re taking advantage of the sporting regulations by introducing a new engine without penalty. They will return to the Monte-spec i20 N Rally1 after positive test feedback. Meanwhile, Thierry and Adrien will continue development of the evo-spec car with damper updates — key for Rally Japan and beyond.”

Crew Notes

Ott Tänak / Martin Järveoja (#8 Hyundai i20 N Rally1)

• Estonian crew aiming for maximum points in title battle

• Winners of the 2024 Central European Rally

Tänak said:

“We’ve competed here a few times now, so we know what to expect. Weather is always a major factor — the cuts make roads dirty, and grip levels change constantly. Experience really counts here. We’re still in the championship hunt, so a top performance is absolutely essential.”

Thierry Neuville / Martijn Wydaeghe (#1 Hyundai i20 N Rally1)

• Targeting a third consecutive podium at the event

• Winners in 2023, third place in 2024

Neuville said:

“Central European Rally is close to home and one of my favourites, but it’s unpredictable. October weather makes grip levels tricky, and the amount of cuts increases puncture risk. Finding the right balance between risk and reward is key. We’ll be pushing for another podium — ideally, the win.”

Adrien Fourmaux / Alexandre Coria (#16 Hyundai i20 N Rally1)

• Won Rally2 category in 2023

• Looking to carry podium momentum from Rally Chile

Fourmaux said:

“This is one of the toughest events of the year. The contrast between the narrow Czech stages and the smoother German and Austrian roads makes tyre choice and grip assessment difficult. Switching back to tarmac after so many gravel rallies requires precision. We’re aiming to fight for the podium.”

Weekend at a Glance

• Thursday: Two loops of Golf und Therme (SS1/2, 12.83km)

• Friday: Cross-border action with Granit und Wald (SS3/8, 10.86km), Böhmerwald (SS4/7, 15.27km), and Col de Jan (SS5/6, 23.37km)

• Saturday: The longest day — Made in FRG (SS9/14, 14.30km), Keply (SS10/12, 21.95km), and Klatovy (SS11/13, 15.57km), totalling 103.64km

• Sunday: Final push with Beyond Borders (SS15/17, 12.37km) and Mühltal (SS16/18, 26.52km) — the Power Stage and event decider