Hyundai have been supremely fast throughout the World Rally Championship campaign and lead the Manufacturers’ Championship.
The Korean constructor leads the standings by 35 points over their nearest rival, Toyota, with three rounds to go in the WRC.
Hyundai have four victories so far this season and are in control of the drivers’ standings, with Thierry Neuville leading the championship.
Team principal Cyril Abiteboul is cautiously optimistic about Hyundai’s chances heading into Rally Chile but warned they can’t let complacency creep in, via quotes from Autosport.
Cyril Abiteboul is adamant that Hyundai must not ‘lose focus’ in the WRC title fight
Hyundai started the season superbly, taking victory in the opening two rounds of the season and have maintained their advantage despite winning fewer rallies.
Toyota have taken six wins this year but lost valuable points at Rally Finland, suffering a double retirement. Elfyn Evans and Kalle Rovanpera both failing to make it to the end of the rally gave Hyundai a boost in the championship battle.
The final three rounds of the championship are likely to be unpredictable, with a mix of events on gravel and tarmac, beginning with Rally Chile.
Abiteaboul believes Hyundai need to keep focused in the battle with Toyota for the championship as the margins become finer towards the end of the year.
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He said: “While we approach Rally Chile with both optimism and momentum, we are also going into the event with great caution.
“Greece was a fantastic display of what can be achieved with great teamwork, but it is imperative we do not lose focus in the final events of the season.
“The Hyundai i20 N Rally1 Hybrid has demonstrated its robustness and reliability at other gravel rallies this season, so we want to end the final event on this surface strongly before our return to the tarmac.”
Hyundai could celebrate both championships with Thierry Neuville fighting for the drivers’ title
Neuville is getting closer to his first title with the World Rally Championship and leads the standings ahead of Ott Tanak.
The Belgian driver won last time at the Acropolis Rally in Greece and has outscored Tanak over the past two events.
Neuville also seems to have seen off the challenge of Sebastien Ogier, who committed to the final few rounds.
The Hyundai driver was adamant that Ogier would have excuses if he didn’t clinch the WRC championship at the end of the season.