To strengthen its Alzenau, Germany-based operations, Hyundai Motorsport has appointed Cyril Abiteboul as team principal. In his new position, Abiteboul will be responsible for the OEM’s FIA World Rally Championship (WRC) and customer racing programs.
Abiteboul brings more than 15 years of motorsport experience to his new position. He will be based in Alzenau on a full-time basis to help the Hyundai Motorsport team explore new areas for improvement during its 10th season competing in the WRC. By investigating these new areas, the OEM aims to put up a stronger fight for championship titles.
“I am relishing the opportunity to join Hyundai Motorsport as team principal from 2023,” said Abiteboul. “In motorsport, like in the rest of their activities, the Hyundai brand is cautiously building its leadership. I am excited at the prospect of being part of it, managing the WRC and customer racing programs, where the team has already proved to be strong a competitor. I am looking forward to immersing myself in the rallying community and discovering more about this spectacular sport. Hyundai has given me its full support to make the transition into this role a smooth one. I can’t wait to get started.”
“I am pleased to welcome Cyril Abiteboul into the Hyundai family,” said Sean Kim, president of Hyundai Motorsport. “Cyril’s experience in Formula 1 will help us to explore new opportunities for growth and improvements as we look to mount a more intensive fight for titles in WRC and to support our customer racing teams. We will deliberately give him time to settle in, discover the environment and, in time, make the team principal role his own.
“I would like to extend my thanks to Julien Moncet, who took on the deputy role last season with determination. Under his guidance, we secured five victories and built strong momentum in the second part of the year. I have no doubt that Hyundai Motorsport’s technical personnel, along with Cyril, will demonstrate stronger and clearer leadership in the future by cooperating closely with the global R&D of Hyundai Motor Company.”
“Our ambition has always been for motorsport to act as a halo for the entire Hyundai brand,” added Till Wartenberg, vice president and head of the N Brand management and motorsport subdivision at Hyundai Motor Company. “To deliver against our winning objectives, we need to be constantly on top of our game, bringing together the right blend of people and experience. We are delighted to have someone of Cyril Abiteboul’s caliber joining Hyundai Motorsport. He will bring a fresh perspective to the business from his time in Formula 1, which we are sure will add value in all areas. We already have a talented team of individuals at Alzenau, and we are sure this appointment will only amplify the excellent work that is taking place.”
