Hyundai development programme in sabbatical as Huttunen is left high and dry
Hyundai has suspended its Motorsport Driver Development scheme in an effort to further focus on its World Rally Championship title tilt in 2019. The move leaves Jari Huttunen without a full-time drive for the season ahead. The 24-year-old Finn will contest next month’s Rally Sweden in a privately run Skoda Fabia R5, but beyond that event the future of Marcus Gronholm’s protege is uncertain.
Hyundai Motorsport director Andrea Adamo explained the decision, saying: “So far, it’s on hold. We have to be more focused on the World Rally Championship and winning and to make these things [happen], we want to do things properly.”
Adamo said the scheme, which also helped South Korean driver Chewon Lim, will be back.
Asked about Huttunen’s future, Adamo said: “There is no programme… I think he’s a very talented guy, but he was competing against other people who were focused on winning the [WRC 2] championship – but Hyundai is focused on winning the world championship. Now, we prefer to keep our feet on the floor and make things in a proper way.”
Adamo confirmed the i20 R5 – which also comes under his jurisdiction as he retains control of the South Korean firm’s customer racing department – will have further updates in the near future, including new engine mapping software to enhance power.