Cyril Abiteboul has been handed a larger role within Hyundai Motorsport as he takes over as President from 2024 onward.
Hyundai Motorsport has announced a restructuring of its senior management effective from January 2024, elevating Team Principal Cyril Abiteboul into the role of company President. Sean Kim, who has held the President position since April 2022, will hand over the reins and move to a new role within Hyundai Motor Company.
Abiteboul has made an immediately positive impression since joining Hyundai Motorsport in January 2023, helping to introduce key organisational changes across the past twelve months. The position of President brings new responsibilities within Hyundai Motorsport but also a strategic role as the conduit for the motorsport subsidiary and the corporation in Korea and in Europe.
The announcement of Abiteboul as President is accompanied by several further internal restructuring measures that will be effective from the start of 2024, with the objective of improving performance and efficiency as the company looks to next season and beyond.
Cyril Abiteboul commented: “Firstly, I must say thank you to Sean Kim for bringing me to Hyundai Motorsport and to Hyundai for the trust they have shown in me for this new role. We have clear targets in the categories where we are competing. We are also tasked with the transformation of Hyundai Motorsport to reflect the evolution of Hyundai Motor Company and to continue to be a relevant platform for the N brand and products. We know there is work to be done, but we enjoy a team of dedicated, talented, and multi-cultural individuals that I will strive to guide with the same values of respect and trust as Sean did during his tenure.”
Sean Kim added:“Just as twelve months ago I was pleased to welcome Cyril Abiteboul into the Hyundai family, today I hand over the role of President to him. Hyundai Motorsport has been like a family for me these past two years and as I am turning to new challenges, I do so in the knowledge that the company is in the hands of a renewed leadership team, and able to push strongly for the seasons ahead. There is an incredible array of talent in Alzenau and I know the future holds the potential for great successes.”
Till Wartenberg, Vice President N Brand & Motorsport said: “We are delighted to announce that Cyril Abiteboul will be Hyundai Motorsport’s next President. In just twelve months, Cyril has given us a clear roadmap for improvement with an impressive strategic skillset. We have benefitted from his experience and insight over the course of 2023, and he has been instrumental in bringing new vigour to Alzenau, attracting key hires such as FX Demaison and, of course, encouraging Ott Tänak to return. We say thank you to Sean Kim for his able stewardship over the past two years and look forward to building on this strong foundation with greater success in the future.”
[Note: The story is as per press release]