Hyundai Motorsport GmbH, a division of the South Korean automaker Hyundai Motor Company, was established in December 2012 in Alzenau, Germany, to manage the brand's global motorsport activities. This marked a significant return to top-tier rallying for Hyundai, building on a history that included earlier forays into the World Rally Championship (WRC). The company's journey reflects a strategic commitment to motorsport, evolving from a contracted operation
to an in-house, German-based entity.
Early Rallying Efforts and Withdrawal
Hyundai's initial involvement in motorsport can be traced back to a predecessor based in Korea, Hyundai Motor Sport, which operated between at least 1998 and 2003. During this period, Hyundai Motor Sport contracted Motor Sport Developments (MSD) to manage its campaigns in the 2-Litre Cup of the World Rally Championship. They competed with the Hyundai Coupe F2, and later, in the WRC Manufacturer's championship, with the Hyundai Accent WRC. The British company MSD, with David Whitehead as team principal, also had the dual mandate of running the Hyundai Coupe in the cup while simultaneously developing a World Rally Car.
In September 1999, the Accent WRC, based on the Hyundai Accent, was unveiled, with its debut planned for the following season. The Hyundai World Rally Team introduced the car at the 49th Rally Sweden during the 2000 season. For the 2002 season, Hyundai brought in notable drivers like four-time world champion Juha Kankkunen, alongside Freddy Loix and Armin Schwarz. Kankkunen's fifth-place finish in New Zealand was the team's best result that year, helping them surpass Skoda and Mitsubishi by one point for fourth place in the manufacturers' world championship. However, after a season plagued by budget constraints, Hyundai withdrew from the WRC in September 2003, ending its partnership with MSD. At the time, the company vowed to return to the championship with an in-house operation based in Germany by 2006.
The Rebirth in Alzenau
Eight years later than initially planned, Hyundai made good on its promise. At the 2012 Paris Motor Show, Hyundai officially announced its intention to return to the WRC for the 2014 season. This return would feature the i20 model, built to World Rally Car specifications. To spearhead this ambitious comeback, Hyundai nominated Juho Hänninen, Bryan Bouffier, and Chris Atkinson as the official test drivers for 2013.
On December 19, 2012, the in-house operation, Hyundai Motorsport GmbH, was formally established in Alzenau, Germany. This new entity was given the responsibility for the entire WRC program, marking a significant shift from the previous outsourced model. The establishment of Hyundai Motorsport GmbH solidified Hyundai's commitment to developing its motorsport capabilities internally, positioning it as a serious contender in global rallying. This German base became the center for all its global motorsport activities, including its continued participation in the World Rally Championship and the European Rally Championship.
Expanding Horizons: Customer Racing
Beyond its factory team efforts, Hyundai Motorsport GmbH further expanded its operations in December 2015 with the establishment of a dedicated Customer Racing department. This new division was created to provide rally and touring cars, along with associated services, to private customers. Its inaugural project was an R5 specification car, based on the Hyundai i20 model. This car made its competitive debut in September 2016 at the Tour de Corse, with three entries. Since then, the Customer Racing department has grown considerably, now supplying touring cars for use in both global and national competitions, demonstrating Hyundai Motorsport's broad impact across various levels of motorsport.
