Kankkunen Predicts Stronger Second Half for Hyundai in WRC 2026

The 2026 FIA World Rally ChampionshipCompetition·World Rally Championship (WRC) is poised for an intensified second half, with legendary driver and current ToyotaTeam·Toyota team leader Juha KankkunenCoach·Juha Kankkunen predicting a significant surge in performance from HyundaiTeam·Hyundai. Speaking to Sportal.bg ahead of the Acropolis Rally GreeceCompetition·Acropolis Rally Greece, which marks the beginning of the remaining seven rounds, Kankkunen highlighted the shift to an all-gravel calendar as a key factor.

HyundaiTeam·Hyundai's performance in the initial phase of the 2026 season has been a mix of challenges and encouraging displays. While the team has openly acknowledged difficulties with their i20 N Rally1 car, particularly on tarmac, they have also demonstrated notable speed. Thierry NeuvillePlayer·Thierry Neuville secured a victory in Portugal, marking a significant milestone for the team, and Ott TänakPlayer·Ott Tänak achieved a second-place finish in the same event in 2025, winning 12 stages. Despite these flashes of brilliance, HyundaiTeam·Hyundai has often found itself contending for positions behind the dominant Toyota Gazoo Racing WRTTeam·Toyota Gazoo Racing WRT on asphalt surfaces.

Kankkunen's assessment points to the upcoming gravel rallies as a potential turning point. "It's never easy, especially Acropolis," Kankkunen stated, acknowledging the inherent difficulties. He further elaborated on the competitive dynamics: "Our cars will start from the first five positions and will clean the road, so we will be quite even. HyundaiTeam·Hyundai is in a good position here, and they have always performed well in the Acropolis Rally; the battle will be very competitive throughout the rally."

The four-time World Rally Champion anticipates a much closer contest in the latter part of the season. "Yes, much more competitive, for sure. Only gravel rallies remain. It's a tire puncture lottery, the same in Sardinia, in Saudi Arabia you never know. Maybe Finland and Estonia will be good for us. Fast gravel rallies should be good," he explained, emphasizing the unpredictable nature of gravel events.

When pressed on whether he expects HyundaiTeam·Hyundai to be stronger, Kankkunen responded with conviction: "They will certainly be stronger in the second half of the season." This sentiment aligns with HyundaiTeam·Hyundai's internal expectations, as the team has been actively working on upgrades and anticipates improved performance on gravel, a surface where their car is expected to be more competitive.

The refreshed driver lineup for Hyundai MotorsportTeam·Hyundai Motorsport in 2026 features permanent crews of Thierry NeuvillePlayer·Thierry Neuville and Martijn WydaeghePlayer·Martijn Wydaeghe, alongside Adrien FourmauxPlayer·Adrien Fourmaux and Alexandre CoriaPlayer·Alexandre Coria. The third HyundaiTeam·Hyundai i20 N Rally1 car will be shared by Dani SordoPlayer·Dani Sordo, Esapekka LappiPlayer·Esapekka Lappi, and Hayden PaddonPlayer·Hayden Paddon, a strategy designed to leverage diverse expertise across different rally conditions. With ToyotaTeam·Toyota having secured both manufacturers' and drivers' titles in 2025 and maintaining a strong lead in 2026, HyundaiTeam·Hyundai's stated objective to challenge for all three championship titles will face its true test on the demanding gravel stages that lie ahead.