Hyundai has introduced that 2019 world champion Tanak will rejoin the Korean squad for the 2024 marketing campaign, which can see the Estonian reunite with five-time WRC title runner-up Neuville.
The pair have been beforehand team-mates at Hyundai from 2020-2022.
Following Tanak’s departure from Hyundai on the finish of 2022, Abiteboul made it clear after taking on the workforce principal function for 2023 that Neuville could be Hyundai’s number-one driver.
Because of this, Hyundai has typically employed workforce orders to favour the Belgian, notably in Sweden and Sardinia.
When requested about how the driving force hierarchy system will function subsequent 12 months, Abiteboul stated it was “too early” to make a name, however admitted it is going to be “completely different” with two title contenders in its ranks.
“I believe it’s a bit too early to speak in regards to the goal for subsequent 12 months,” Abiteboul advised Motorsport.com.
“I believe in motorsport the goal is relative to what’s occurring on the opposite aspect and what the competitors is wanting like.
“I imagine we’re the primary to announce our plans for subsequent 12 months no less than for 2 vehicles and we are going to take a little bit of time to work on the third automobile and presumably fourth automobile.
“However earlier than saying what we need to obtain subsequent 12 months I need to see what the competitors is wanting like, however for positive the precedence should be a bit completely different when you have got two rally winners two champion contenders in your secure.
Thierry Neuville, Martijn Wydaeghe, Hyundai World Rally Group Hyundai i20 N Rally1
Photograph by: Fabien Dufour / Hyundai Motorsport
“Yeah, for positive [it will be a challenge to manage the two drivers] however I really feel just like the organisation is up for it. However I do not assume they might have been prepared for it this 12 months.
“However after this 12 months of studying, I am fairly positive we are able to all handle with good execution. However as quickly as now we have a transparent understanding of the aggressive atmosphere and we are going to set up a transparent goal for the workforce and drivers in addition to a transparent code of conduct for subsequent 12 months.”
Abiteboul is nonetheless excited on the prospect of Tanak and Neuville extracting the very best out of one another subsequent 12 months, which he hopes will push the workforce in its battle with Toyota.
“They did [get the best out of ash other] final 12 months. The workforce secured 5 wins with a automobile, and I wasn’t there however I’m advised was not likely aggressive and dependable, so I believe does say one thing.
“Now we have just one win to date this 12 months so we’re not going to do the identical by way of win numbers. I imagine the automobile is a little more aggressive and dependable than final 12 months.
