Former Renault F1 boss Cyril Abiteboul makes his return to racing scene as the new Hyundai team principal in FIA WRC.
We have announced the appointment of Cyril Abiteboul to the role of Team Principal of Hyundai Motorsport, with the Frenchman assuming responsibility for our FIA WRC and Customer Racing programs. The 45-year-old will join our squad on a full-time basis as we seek to continue our impressive momentum from recent months. He brings 15 years of motorsport experience from Team Principal and executive management roles at Renault and Caterham.
Hyundai Motorsport President Sean Kim said: “I am pleased to welcome Cyril into the Hyundai family. His experience in Formula One will help us to explore new opportunities for growth and improvements as we look to mount a more intensive fight for titles in WRC and to support our Customer Racing teams.
“We will deliberately give him time to settle in, discover the environment and, in time, to make the Team Principal role his own. I have no doubt that Hyundai Motorsport’s technical personnel, along with Cyril, will demonstrate stronger and clearer leadership in the future by co-operating closely with the Global R&D of Hyundai Motor Company.”
Building on a solid foundation
We secured our highest number of wins in a single WRC season under the tenure of Deputy Team Director Julien Moncet, who will take on a new role from 2023 related to our future technology. “I would like to extend my thanks to Julien Moncet, who took on the deputy role last season with determination,” continued President Kim. “Under his guidance, we secured five victories and built strong momentum in the second part of the year.”
Vice President and Head of N Brand Management & Motorsport Sub-Division at Hyundai Motor Company, Till Wartenberg said of the appointment: “Our ambition has always been for motorsport to act as a halo for the entire Hyundai brand. To deliver against our winning objectives, we need to be constantly on top of our game, bringing together the right blend of people and experience. We are delighted to have someone of Cyril’s calibre joining Hyundai Motorsport.”
“I am relishing the opportunity to join Hyundai Motorsport as Team Principal,” added Cyril Abiteboul. “In motorsport, like in the rest of their activities, the Hyundai brand is cautiously building its leadership. I am excited at the prospect of being part of it, managing the WRC and Customer Racing programs, where the team has already proven to be strong competitors. I am looking forward to immersing myself into the rallying community and discovering more about this spectacular sport. Hyundai has given me its full support to make the transition into this role a smooth one. I can’t wait to get started.”
[Note: The story is as per press release]