Hyundai Motor's i20 N Rally1 Hybrid Drive Hyundai Motor's i20 N Rally1 Hybrid Drive

2024.08.29 Hyundai Motorsport Team 분량12min

[2024 WRC Round 9] Amid a Turbulent Rally with Numerous Retirements, Thierry Neuville Secures 2nd Place in Finland

The Finland Rally, the final stage of the high-speed gravel trilogy, is seen as one of the biggest hurdles in Hyundai Motorsport's quest to reclaim the WRC Championship. Despite early retirements from Ott Tänak and Esapekka Lappi, Thierry Neuville managed to secure a podium finish, further solidifying his and Hyundai's journey towards the season championship.

Hyundai Motor's i20 N Rally1 Hybrid Drive

This season's Finland Rally, the last of the high-speed gravel trilogy that could decide the direction of the WRC title, took place recently. The rally is often affectionately referred to as the "Finland Grand Prix." It may surprise some that Finland, which has produced three F1 champions, has never hosted an F1 Grand Prix. However, in the world of WRC, the Finland Rally has long been celebrated as a premier event, known for its high-speed gravel tracks. Enthusiasts familiar with WRC history may remember it as the ‘1,000 Lakes Rally,’ a name derived from Finland's lake-filled landscape, though it is now officially known as the ‘Secto Rally Finland.’


When the event first began in 1951, it spanned 1,700 km, starting in Jyväskylä in central Finland and ending in Rovaniemi in the north. The rally quickly adopted the modern format of dividing the race into special stages. By 1959, it was part of the European Rally Championship (ERC), and it has been a fixture on the WRC calendar since the championship's inception in 1973.

Hyundai Motor's i20 N Rally1 Hybrid Drive

Maintaining its WRC status has never been easy, especially given Finland's modest population of under 6 million. Yet, the Finland Rally has retained its popularity and prestige. In fact, it is often mentioned alongside the Monte Carlo Rally as one of the most prestigious events on the WRC calendar. Even when it began in 1951, the Finland Rally was considered a final test for drivers competing in the Monte Carlo Rally.

Hyundai Motor's i20 N Rally1 Hybrid Drive

The Finland Rally is characterized by its gravel surfaces, high speeds, and numerous jumps.

The rally's unique appeal lies in its thrilling and fast-paced racing style. Finland's stages are known for their smooth, slippery gravel and relatively wide tracks, allowing for high-speed driving. However, the tracks also feature many undulations, leading to frequent jumps throughout the race. Given that braking and steering are impossible while airborne, any mistake by the co-driver can lead to a major accident. The high speeds leave no room for error after landing.

Table Explains Course for 2024 WRC Round 9 Finland Rally

This year, the number of special stages (SS) was reduced from 22 to 20, and the total distance was shortened by about 15 km. However, the return of the famous Ouninpohja stage, which is synonymous with Finland, heightened expectations. A total of 80 cars participated, with Toyota, based in Finland, entering five cars, including 10 Rally1 vehicles and 39 Rally2 entries. The service park was set up in Jyväskylä, as in previous years.

Hyundai World rally team drivers

Hyundai Motorsport once again fielded Thierry Neuville, Ott Tänak, and Esapekka Lappi.

Hyundai Motorsport maintained the same driver lineup as in the Latvia Rally, with championship points leader Thierry Neuville, second-place Ott Tänak, and Esapekka Lappi making his second consecutive appearance. If Hyundai and Neuville can minimize their rivals' gains during the high-speed gravel trilogy, their chances of winning this season's championship title will significantly increase. The upcoming rough gravel (Greece, Chile) and tarmac (Central Europe, Japan) rallies are expected to favor Neuville.


Tänak, who could have secured four consecutive podium finishes if not for a collision with a deer in Poland, finished third in Latvia, reclaiming second place in the championship standings by overtaking Elfyn Evans. He is just eight points behind Neuville. Tänak's impressive record in Finland, with three victories in 2018, 2019, and 2022, makes him a strong contender. Lappi, who won in 2017 and is a native of Finland, faced challenges in maintaining his race rhythm, given that he shares his car with two other drivers this season.

Hyundai Motor's i20 N Rally1 Hybrid Drive

Esapekka Lappi, a Finnish driver, has been highly anticipated as he enters his second consecutive race in the high-speed gravel trilogy.

Toyota leveraged its home advantage by fielding five cars, including full-season drivers Elfyn Evans and Takamoto Katsuta, along with former champions Kalle Rovanperä and Sébastien Ogier. Sami Pajari also joined the lineup. The team points responsibility was shared among Evans, Rovanperä, and Ogier.


Evans, a full-time driver for Toyota, has yet to secure a victory this season and has fallen to third in the standings, trailing the Hyundai duo. With two wins in Finland (2021, 2023), Evans prepared for the event by competing in the HYA Center Rally in Tampere, Finland, a week before the main event.

Drivers in 2024 Finland Rally

Following the Latvia Rally, Toyota employed a daring strategy by fielding both Kalle Rovanperä and Sébastien Ogier in the Finland Rally.

Initially, the plan was to alternate the third car between Ogier and Rovanperä, but both drivers were entered in the same event. This decision was driven by the urgency of the situation, as Toyota was trailing Hyundai in both major championship points at the halfway mark of the season. Ogier, who won the Finland Rally in 2013, brought experience, while Rovanperä, surprisingly, had yet to claim a victory at his home rally in Finland, despite being a two-time champion and a native of Finland.


Sami Pajari, who got the nod to drive the fifth car, is a promising Finnish driver and a key contender in the WRC2 title race. Originally scheduled to make his Rally1 debut in Latvia, his debut was slightly delayed. This delay was particularly noticeable as Mārtiņš Sesks made a strong debut for M-Sport Ford, adding pressure on Pajari. Toyota team principal Jari-Matti Latvala, also entered as a driver this year, took to the course in a Rally2 car since no extra Rally1 cars were available.

i20 N Rally 1 Hybrid is running on the road

Meanwhile, Mārtiņš Sesks, who had the opportunity to compete in Rally1 at the Poland and Latvia Rallies as part of the WRC Promoter's Young Drivers Support Program and M-Sport Ford, did not participate in the Finland Rally as the program concluded. As a result, Ford entered only Adrien Fourmaux and Grégoire Munster, as in previous rounds.

i20 N Rally 1 Hybrid is running on the road

The highly anticipated Finland Rally began with strong support from rally fans.

On the morning of Thursday, August 1st, the Shakedown test began on a 4.12 km course that used part of the Ruuhimäki stage, which would be run on Friday. Esapekka Lappi posted the fastest time during the test, followed by Rovanperä, Takamoto Katsuta, Ogier, and Fourmaux. The competition officially kicked off at 7 p.m. on the same day with the Harju stage, a special stage set up in the city center of Jyväskylä. This Super Special Stage (SSS1) used the same layout as last year, featuring both paved city roads and unpaved park sections. While it differed from the more traditional Finland stages to be raced later, it offered a unique experience for the many spectators.

i20 N Rally 1 Hybrid is running on the road

Thierry Neuville kicked off the Rally Finland on a high note, finishing the first day in the lead. This strong start set a positive tone for the rest of the event. Photo: WRC (https://www.wrc.com)

Thierry Neuville took the top time on the first day, leading the overall standings on Thursday, followed by Katsuta, Ott Tänak, Ogier, Rovanperä, Fourmaux, and Lappi. Neuville, who was still searching for the right setup, commented after the stage: "It's a good start, but the real stuff starts tomorrow. We are looking forward, it was a difficult shakedown for us this morning and we had some problems with the car. Hopefully, tomorrow everything is working like it should be."

i20 N Rally 1 Hybrid is running on the road

From the second day, the notorious challenges of the Finland Rally began to unfold.

Friday, August 2nd, marked the start of the high-speed gravel stages for which the Finland Rally is famous. The day featured nine stages totaling 116.33 km, starting with the 17.96 km Laukaa stage, followed by the 15.93 km Saarikas, 15.51 km Myhinpää, and 7.76 km Ruuhimäki stages, each run twice, and ending the day with the Harju stage that had been raced the previous evening.


Heavy rain overnight turned the roads into a quagmire, making for a challenging start to the day. Neuville struggled with the conditions, saying, "Very bad. I had many small moments, the car didn't turn at all and went into a huge slide. A disaster. The diffs are opening constantly, losing control. Tough fight." Elfyn Evans took control in the opening stage, with Ogier, Rovanperä, and Katsuta leading the way for Toyota, while Hyundai's trio followed.


Hyundai World Rally Team Haute Tanak experienced an accident while driving

Unfortunately, Ott Tänak experienced a severe crash early in the event, resulting in his car overturning and sustaining significant damage, making it impossible for him to continue the competition. Photo: WRC (https://www.wrc.com)

In SS3, Rovanperä set the top time while Neuville lost time after briefly going off course. The most significant event of the day occurred when Tänak, after taking a wide corner, hit a ditch and crashed into a tree, causing his car to roll over. Fortunately, all occupants were unharmed, but co-driver Martin was kept in the hospital overnight as a precaution. Lappi set the third-fastest time in SS3, leading the way for Hyundai. In SS4, Neuville posted the second-fastest time behind Evans, closing in on the leaders. Meanwhile, Pajari, who had lost his rear wing earlier, struggled with grip throughout the morning.

Toyota team driver in an accident while driving

Takamoto Katsuta loses grip in a slippery corner, crashes into a tree, and severely damages the right rear wheel. Photo: WRC (https://www.wrc.com)

Before SS5, ominous storm clouds gathered, hinting at the challenges ahead as the race continued. Katsuta's rear suspension was damaged during a half-spin, allowing Lappi and Neuville to move up to 4th and 5th places, respectively. Lappi explained after the race: "It was really slippery in there, bad stage. I think we've done a good job; after each car, it's getting worse and worse every time." Katsuta attempted to repair his car but had to retire after suffering a tire blowout on a road section.

Hyundai World Rally Team Esapekka Lappi's Accident While Driving

Esapekka Lappi's car suffers significant front and right rear damage after crashing into a tree during SS6. Photo: WRC (https://www.wrc.com)

In SS6, while Rovanperä clocked the top time, Hyundai faced yet another setback as Lappi crashed into a tree, completely destroying his suspension. Hyundai's last hope, Neuville, commented after SS7: "I had a clean run, but not good conditions for us, to be honest. It is quite wet in there, with a bit of water and muddy places. We are making the line, huge cuts, muddy water, and I got mudded out. Not what I need. At the moment, we are not thinking about the podium; we are thinking about surviving and keeping an eye on Elfyn Evans."

Neuville secured SS8, demonstrating his ability to maintain a stable race pace. Rookie Pajari made his mark by claiming his first Rally1 stage win in SS9, while Ogier took his first stage win in this Finland Rally on the short SS10 Harju, wrapping up Friday. Rovanperä ended the day in the lead, with Evans and Ogier battling for 2nd place, separated by just 0.6 seconds. Neuville held 4th, followed by Fourmaux, Pajari, and Munster.

i20 N Rally 1 hybrid is running on the road

The Ouninpohja stage is famous for its high-speed, long-distance jumps, making it a fan favorite in the Finland Rally.

On Saturday, August 3, the competition intensified over six stages, covering 144.22 km, starting with the 18.94 km Västilä. The day featured three medium-to-long-distance stages, each repeated in the afternoon. The iconic Ouninpohja, at 32.98 km, the longest stage of the rally, bookended the day and is known for its Yellow House Jump, a high-speed, long-distance leap that has thrilled fans since its return in 2017.


Munster retired after crashing out in SS11, while Rovanperä continued his streak, setting top times from SS11 to SS14. Evans, who was in 2nd overall after SS11, suffered a dramatic fall in rankings due to gearbox and driveshaft failures. With one of his title rivals out of the running, Neuville moved up to 3rd, gaining some breathing room. Meanwhile, Lappi, who had retired on Friday but returned on Saturday, clocked the top time in SS15, giving hope for additional points on Super Sunday, though he faced two tire punctures on Ouninpohja, ending Saturday on a shaky note.


i20 N Rally 1 hybrid is running on the road

Hyundai Motorsport’s last hope, Thierry Neuville, maintained a steady pace to stay in the top ranks. Photo: WRC (https://www.wrc.com)

Rovanperä ended Saturday still in the lead, with Ogier in 2nd. Neuville climbed to 3rd, securing 13 provisional points. Neuville was 39.6 seconds behind Ogier and 25.9 seconds ahead of 4th place Fourmaux. Rookie Pajari impressed by holding onto 5th, with WRC2 drivers Oliver Solberg, Toyota team principal Jari-Matti Latvala, Lauri Joona, Nikolay Gryazin, and Mikko Heikkilä rounding out the top 10.


Evans, who faced a 16-minute delay during the midday service due to complex exhaust system repairs, incurred a 2-minute 40-second penalty, dropping to 22nd place and out of the points. Rumors circulated that Toyota might order Pajari to slow down to give Evans a chance to score some points.

Hyundai World Rally Team coach Cyril Abiteboul looking at the player

Hyundai and team principal Cyril Abiteboul’s hopes rested on Thierry Neuville, who opted for a safe finish rather than risking it all for points.


Sunday, August 4, dawned as the final day of the Finland Rally. The day consisted of two stages, Sahloinen-Moksi (14.27 km) and Laajavuori (4.35 km), each repeated. The final Power Stage, SS20, took place over two laps of Laajavuori, extending the total distance to 8.77 km, with the four-stage total distance adding up to 41.66 km.


Rovanperä secured the fastest times in SS17 and SS18, solidifying his lead. It seemed the Finnish champion was finally on track to win his home rally. Despite falling behind Evans in the Super Sunday points, Neuville remained calm, saying, "If I want to go faster, I need to take too much risk. And there is no need to risk."

Toyota team driver in an accident while driving

A major upset occurred on the final day when Kalle Rovanperä crashed and retired, after leading from the second day. Photo: WRC (https://www.wrc.com)

However, in a shocking turn of events during SS19, while comfortably leading, Rovanperä crashed into a rock and was forced to retire. The Toyota team was devastated as Rovanperä’s hopes of a first Finland win were dashed. Ogier took over the overall lead, with Neuville moving up to 2nd. Rovanperä’s retirement meant he lost all the provisional points he had secured until Saturday. Meanwhile, Evans, who had been pushing hard for extra points on Super Sunday, veered off course and was forced to stop right after the start. What had looked like a bleak weekend for Hyundai and Neuville suddenly turned brighter.

Players on the podium for the 2024 Finland rally

In the end, Sébastien Ogier, Thierry Neuville, and Adrien Fourmaux finished on the podium.

Ogier claimed the Finland victory, with Neuville finishing 2nd. Fourmaux took 3rd, with all three teams sharing the podium. Ogier has now competed in six events this season, with three wins and three 2nd-place finishes, propelling him to 2nd in the championship standings, ahead of many full-season drivers.


Despite being in 4th place on Friday, Neuville held on and finished 2nd, while Fourmaux claimed his fourth podium of the season, meeting expectations as Ford’s top driver. Rookie Pajari impressed with a 4th-place finish, followed by Solberg, Latvala, Joona, Heikkilä, Gryazin, and Lintnämie, all WRC2 drivers, rounding out the top 10.

Finnish Spectators Support Hyundai Motor's i20N Rally1 Hybrid

Hyundai, which had faced a daunting weekend up until Sunday morning, left Finland with smiles. Neuville’s 2nd place, combined with Evans’ retirement, allowed Hyundai to retain the championship points lead. The gap, which was only one point between Toyota and Hyundai before the race, widened to 20 points due to the double retirements of Rovanperä and Evans.


Hyundai has now emerged from the challenging high-speed gravel trilogy, with just four events remaining. The next two rough gravel rallies (Greece, Chile) and the upcoming tarmac rallies (Central Europe, Japan) are expected to favor Hyundai. The wind is now blowing in Hyundai’s favor as they continue their journey toward the double championship title. WRC Round 10 will be held from September 5-8 in Lamia, Central Greece.


By Su-jin Lee


In 1991, Su-jin Lee’s passion for cars led him to enthusiastically write letters to the newly launched Korean car magazine Car Vision. This unexpected connection led him to start his career as an automotive journalist. He has served as editor and editorial board member for Car Visionand Automobile Life, and now works as an automotive critic. While eagerly covering the latest trends like electric vehicles, connected cars, and autonomous driving technology, he is also a car enthusiast who secretly hopes that the smell of gasoline engines will never disappear.

Table Explains Overall Ranking and Scores of Players and Teams Based on Finnish Rally in Round 9 of 2024 WRC