- Following a competitive start to the 2019 FIA World Rally Championship (WRC), Hyundai Motorsport is targeting victory in the season’s second round, Rally Sweden.
- The team will aim to repeat its Swedish victory and double podium from 2018 to strengthen its early lead in the manufacturers’ standings.
- Thierry Neuville, Andreas Mikkelsen and Sébastien Loeb will tackle the snowy stages in their Hyundai i20 Coupe WRC cars, with all three crews showing strong pace in Monte-Carlo.
11 February 2019 - Hyundai Motorsport will be looking to build on its strongest ever start to a FIA World Rally Championship (WRC) campaign as the team heads to the snowy climes of Rally Sweden for round two of the 14-event season.
An impressive performance at the opening event, Rallye Monte-Carlo, saw Thierry Neuville battle for victory right up to the Power Stage with Andreas Mikkelsen and Sébastien Loeb also showing podium pace. The strength in depth of the three Hyundai i20 Coupe WRC crews allowed the team to take an early lead in the manufacturers’ championship.

The Hyundai Shell Mobis World Rally Team line-up remains unchanged for Sweden, with Neuville and Mikkelsen in the #11 and #89 cars joined once again by Loeb in the #19. The trio will be aiming to defend the team’s 2018 success at Rally Sweden, in which Neuville and Mikkelsen claimed a 1-3 result. Loeb has also been a five-time podium scorer in the rally over the years.

Snow business
Being one of the fastest rounds on the WRC calendar, Rally Sweden will see crews tackle snow and ice conditions with fully studded Michelin tires to grip onto the frozen roads. The 19-stage rally remains largely unchanged from its 2018 edition; the Röjden stage has been trimmed to use the same finish as the 2017 event, while Rämmen re-joins the itinerary for the first time since 2016, albeit in reverse. Friday’s running will once again see all but one stage hosted in Norway, making it a home rally of sorts for Mikkelsen and his co-driver Anders Jæger-Amland.

All three crews prepared for the event with a test in Sweden last week. The sub-zero temperatures and fresh snow provided invaluable experience as they prepare the fast-paced challenge of Rally Sweden.
Team Director
Crew Notes: Neuville/Gilsoul (#11 Hyundai i20 Coupe WRC)
- Neuville secured Swedish victory in 2018 and also finished second in 2015
- Belgian crew will start second on the road behind championship leader Sébastien Ogier

Crew Notes: Mikkelsen/Jæger-Amland (#89 Hyundai i20 Coupe WRC)
- Crew finished third in 2018, their third podium finish in Rally Sweden
- Norwegian crew previously finished second in 2014 and third in 2015
Crew Notes: Loeb/Elena (#19 Hyundai i20 Coupe WRC)
- Crew finished fourth on Hyundai Motorsport debut at Rallye Monte-Carlo
- First participation in Rally Sweden since they finished second in the 2013 event

Rally Sweden begins on Thursday, February 14 with a shakedown in Skalla run over 6,86km followed by a two-at-a-time Super Special Stage held at the Karlstad trotting track. Friday’s running sees all but one stage take place in neighbouring Norway, with the Röjden stage offering a cross-border challenge with its start and end in Sweden. Saturday features the legendary Colin’s Crest jump in Vargåsen, while Sunday’s Power Stage will finish metres away from the service park podium.
Hyundai Motorsport Crews' Info