Cyril Abiteboul appointed Team Principal of Hyundai Motorsport

Former Renault F1 head Cyril Abiteboul has been appointed Team Principal of Hyundai Motorsport and will oversee its activities, including the TCR customer racing programmes.

“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 proven to be strong competitors.

“I am looking forward to immersing myself into 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.”

The Frenchman will report to Hyundai Motorsport President Sean Kim and replaces Julien Moncet, who took over from Andrea Adamo who left Hyundai at the end of 2021.

“I am pleased to welcome Cyril Abiteboul into the Hyundai family,” said Kim.

“Cyril’s experience in Formula One 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, to 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 co-operating closely with the Global R&D of Hyundai Motor Company.

Hyundai Motorsport is yet to confirm its 2023 plans regarding the FIA ETCR and TCR World Tour.