GaadiWaadi –

South Korea has shown interest in hosting a Grand Prix in Incheon, making a Hyundai bid for Formula 1 entry more relevant than ever

Hyundai has a strong presence in rallying, particularly in the World Rally Championship (WRC). The Hyundai Shell Mobis World Rally Team has been competing in the WRC since 2014, and it has steadily improved its performance over the years. In 2019, Hyundai won its first WRC Manufacturers’ Championship title, marking a significant milestone in its motorsport journey.

The South Korean brand has also made a mark in touring car racing, particularly in series like the World Touring Car Cup (WTCR). The Hyundai i30 N TCR has been a competitive contender in this arena, with numerous victories and podium finishes to its name. To further expand its motorsport programme, Hyundai appears to be seeking ways to enter Formula 1.

Currently, Hyundai’s WRC operations are run by Cyril Abiteboul, the former principal of Renault F1 team. No Formula 1 teams are presently available for acquisition though, at least not publicly, complicating its entry into the sport anytime soon. However, showing a desire to join F1 by purchasing an existing team could win favour with Formula One Management (FOM).

This is particularly relevant as Andretti’s efforts to establish a new team from scratch have not been well received thus far. While nothing has been set in stone, Hyundai could see future regulations as a potential opportunity to join the field. The 2026 powertrain regulations focus heavily on hybrid technology to lure automotive manufacturers into Formula 1.

These rules were instrumental in attracting Audi to the sport after years of consideration and omission to some lengths. They also convinced Honda to make a robust return to the sport and prompted Ford to collaborate with Red Bull. South Korea has shown interest in hosting a Grand Prix in Incheon, making a Hyundai bid for Formula 1 entry more relevant than ever before.

It looks like FOM welcomes more OEMs with a broad global reach than independent manufacturers and having another Asian automotive giant could be a tempting deal too good to resist but only time will tell what will really pan out!

The post Hyundai Seeking Ways To Enter The Formula 1 Grid appeared first on Gaadiwaadi.com – Latest Car & Bike News by Surendhar M.