World Rally Championship Who Could Drive For Hyundai In 2023?

With Oliver Solberg out and Hyundai looking for a more experienced World Rally Championship lineup, who could drive for Hyundai in 2023?

The Near Guarantees 

Although we don’t know who exactly will drive for the Hyundai Shell Mobis World Rally Team in 2023. We can make our best guess and guarantee at least one driver for Hyundai’s 2023 lineup.  

Thierry Neuville

Thierry Neuville is probably the only driver right now who we can guarantee will be driving for Hyundai next year. That being said it’ll be a question if he’ll be sharing the number one driving role or not. Neuville has been a driver for Hyundai since 2014. In that span, Neuville has placed second in the championship four times, and third once. Neuville has also won 16 rallies in that span, with his most recent being EKO Acropolis Rally Greece this season. Neuville currently sits third in the WRC championship standings. Sitting 28 points ahead of Elfyn Evans who sits fourth and 29 points behind Hyundai teammate Ott Tänak. 

Ott Tänak

Ott Tänak will likely have a spot with Hyundai next season if he wants it. Which that want is unknown at this point. As Tänak has shown displeasure with Hyundai as of late. Tänak currently sits second overall in the WRC championship, 29 points ahead of Thierry Neuville. Tänak’s hopes of taking home a second WRC championship came to an end at Repco Rally New Zealand when Kalle Rovanperä would win the Championship. Which had to of been a tough pill to swallow for Tänak who worked his hardest to put himself back into championship contention. Tänak could’ve been in the running for the championship still if it wasn’t for a rather questionable call by Hyundai during EKO Acropolis Rally Greece. The true status of the relationship between Tänak and Hyundai likely won’t be known until Tänak’s time with Hyundai comes to an end, whenever that may be. 

The Third Car

With Oliver Solberg out of Hyundai and Hyundai still wanting a three-car team, who could fill that car? That’s a question that should have an answer soon, but for now, we can look over some options. Hyundai is looking to have a more experienced driver lineup and with most current WRC1 drivers under contract for 2023 that may be hard to find. 

Andreas Mikkelsen 

Andreas Mikkelsen is somebody who Hyundai knows. As Mikkelsen was a driver for the team from 2017 to 2019. During that span, Mikkelsen would win no rallies but would podium four times. Mikkelsen has won three rallies at the WRC1 level, all with Volkswagen. Mikkelsen has also finished third in the WRC championship three times. He definitely has experience at the WRC1 level which is what Hyundai is looking for. That being said Mikkelsen hasn’t raced at the WRC level since 2019 and has since raced at the WRC2 level. During his time at the WRC2 level, Mikkelsen has won six rallies and is the reign WRC2 champion. Mikkelsen currently sits first in the WRC2 championship, 13 points ahead of Kajetan Kajetanowicz. 

Craig Breen

Much like Mikkelsen, Craig Breen is a name Hyundai knows all too well. As Breen was a driver for Hyundai from 2019 until 2021. During that time Breen won no rallies but podiumed four times. The chances of Breen returning to Hyundai are slim but not impossible. As Breen is under contract by M-Sport for the 2023 season. There is a chance M-Sport and Breen decide to part ways at the end of the 2022 season, however. As Breen’s 2022 campaign has been less than desirable for M-Sport. With Breen crashing out of four of the last five rallies this season. 

Hayden Paddon 

Much like Breen and Mikkelsen, Hayden Paddon is a name Hyundai is familiar with. As Paddon was a driver for Hyundai from 2014 to 2018. During that time Paddon would win one rally, and podium seven times. Paddon would be fired by Hyundai in 2018. Between 2019 and 2022 Paddon would only race one rally. In 2022 Paddon would make a slight WRC return at the WRC2 level. Paddon has raced Rally Estonia, Secto Rally Finland and Repco Rally New Zealand so far in 2022. Retiring in Estonia, finishing third in Finland and taking home a dominating win at Repco Rally New Zealand. If Hyundai is looking for experience Paddon fits the bill, but his three-year absence from the WRC probably won’t help his case. As the WRC has changed since 2019, the cars are faster and new rallies have been added. 

Teemu Suninen 

If Hyundai wants to stay in-house to fill their third car, Teemu Suninen wouldn’t be a bad option. As Suninen is currently under contract by Hyundai to race at the WRC2 level. Suninen has raced at the WRC1 level before. His most recent appearance being with Hyundai. Suninen has podiumed two World Rally Championship events before, both with M-Sport. Suninen currently sits 14th in the WRC2 standings. As far as experience goes Suninen fits the bill as he has raced most of the WRC1 rallies either this year or prior in his career. 

Dani Sordo

It doesn’t get anymore close to home than Dani Sordo for Hyundai. As Sordo was splitting seat time with Oliver Solberg during the 2022 World Rally Championship season. Sordo has placed third in all three WRC events he’s attended this season. The most recent of which being EKO Acropolis Rally Greece where Sordo along with Hyundai teammates Ott Tänak and Thierry Neuville locked out the podium. Sordo has been a driver for Hyundai since 2014 but has only raced at select events since 2018. There has also been speculation that the 2022 running of RallyRACC – Catalunya Rally De España could be Sordo’s last WRC rally. It’s also unknown if Sordo is willing to return to a full World Rally Championship schedule, as it wouldn’t make much sense to get rid of Solberg just to bring in somebody else to split a car with Sordo. Sordo currently sits ninth in the WRC standings, six points behind outgoing WRC champion Sebastian Ogier. 

My name is Joe Moore. I am a writer for Belly Up Hockey, Belly Up Racing, and Belly Up Sports. You can find me on Twitter.