Back-to-back WRC victories strengthens championship lead
Rally Argentina has been the scene of plenty of success for our team in recent seasons, but we’ve come away from this year’s event with our best achievement yet – a fantastic 1-2!
Thierry and Nicolas, having taken the lead of the rally on Friday evening, defended and then extended their advantage to emerge with their second consecutive victory of the year by a margin of 48-seconds.
“This is a really great feeling!” said Thierry. “The car has been absolutely perfect all weekend. It has been an amazing team result, not only at the rally, but also everyone working tirelessly in Germany.”
Doing the double
The victory is our second in Argentina and allows Thierry to move ten points clear in the drivers’ table. “We have scored some important points. I am really proud of what we have achieved,” he said.
Adding to a memorable event, Andreas and Anders secured their best-ever result for our team with a strong second place. Our Norwegians were overjoyed to take their first podium since Sweden 2018.
“It really feels like a victory,” said Andreas. “We found great pace from the car and have finally been able to show what we are capable of. I couldn’t be happier.”
Rally Argentina offered plenty of drama and challenging conditions over the entire event. The final morning included two of the most demanding and iconic stages, El Condor (16.43km) and Mina Clavero-Giulio Cesare (20.30km).
A second pass through El Condor acted as the Power Stage. Thierry and Nicolas finished with a flourish, taking three extra points while our Spaniards took two additional points as they secured a top-six finish overall.
“I am really happy for the team, and pleased that our manufacturers’ position has been strengthened,” said Dani. “I really wanted to push for third place today but I just didn’t have the pace that was needed.”
Moved and rewarded
The result in Argentina marks our third ever 1-2 finish in WRC (following Germany 2014 and Poland 2017), our 12th victory and our 11th double podium finish. We have also strengthened our position at the top of the championship on 157 points, 37 clear of Toyota.
“I am particularly moved by this 1-2 result because I know what we are giving our crews to compete with,” said our Team Director Andrea. “This is the most emotional weekend since I have taken over this role because – maybe for some kind of planetary alignment – we have seen huge success for Hyundai in motorsport series across the world.”
He continued: “I know I have been demanding a lot from everyone at Hyundai Motorsport, asking them to push hard to make progress. I hope these results pay back each and every one of their efforts.”
The WRC’s South American double-header continues into unchartered territory, as Rally Chile takes place over the weekend of May 10-12.
Final Overall Classification – Rally Argentina
1 T. Neuville / N. Gilsoul (Hyundai i20 Coupe WRC) 3:20:54.6
2 A. Mikkelsen / A. Jæger-Amland (Hyundai i20 Coupe WRC) +48.4
3 S. Ogier / J. Ingrassia (Citroën C3 WRC) +1:04.8
4 K. Meeke / S. Marshall (Toyota Yaris WRC) +1:06.2
5 J.M Latvala / M. Anttila (Toyota Yaris WRC) +1:21.1
6 D. Sordo / C. del Barrio (Hyundai i20 Coupe WRC) +1:26.7
7 T. Suninen / M. Salminen (Ford Fiesta WRC) +4:57.3
8 O. Tänak / M. Järveoja (Toyota Yaris WRC) +14:24.8
9 M. Østberg / T. Eriksen (Citroën C3 R5) +14:28.5
10 P. Heller / M. Martí (Ford Fiesta R5) +20:14.5
2019 FIA World Rally Championship for Drivers’ Standings
After round 5
1 T. Neuville 110
2 S. Ogier 100
3 O. Tanak 82
4 K. Meeke 54
5 E. Evans 43
6 A. Mikkelsen 30
7 J.M Latvala 29
8 E. Lappi 26
9 D. Sordo 26
10 S. Loeb 22
11 T. Suninen 20
2019 FIA World Rally Championship for Manufacturers’ Standings
After round 5
1 Hyundai Shell Mobis World Rally Team 157
2 Toyota Gazoo Racing World Rally Team 120
3 Citroën Total World Rally Team 117
4 M-Sport Ford World Rally Team 78
All results remain subject to official FIA confirmation.