Adrien Fourmaux will join Hyundai to pilot its third entry on a full-time basis in the World Rally Championship next year.
The five-time WRC podium finisher’s future has been the subject of speculation having been linked to a move from M-Sport-Ford to the Korean marque for several months.
Fourmaux and co-driver Alex Coria will form part of an experienced driver line-up that includes newly-crowned world champion Thierry Neuville and 2019 world champion Ott Tanak.
It marks a change in strategy for the third car from Hyundai after it narrowly lost the manufacturers’ title to Toyota this year. Traditionally the seat has been shared across multiple crews with Esapekka Lappi, Dani Sordo and Andreas Mikkelsen all contesting part-time programmes this year. The futures of the trio are yet to be confirmed, but Hyundai has refused to rule out drives should it expand to four cars during next season.
Fourmaux has attracted pretty of attention after a standout 2024 leading the Ford squad, which he has been a part of since 2020. This season he’s scored 45 more points than the total points accumulated by Hyundai’s third car drivers.
M-Sport promoted the 29-year-old back to its Rally1 team after spending 2023 competing in Rally2 machinery following an eventful first season piloting a Rally1 Ford Puma in 2022.
Adrien Fourmaux, M-Sport Ford World Rally Team
Photo by: McKlein / Motorsport Images
Fourmaux claimed a maiden WRC podium finish in Sweden which he followed up with third places in Kenya, Poland, Finland and Japan on his way to fifth in the championship.
The Frenchman’s move from M-Sport to Hyundai does however arrive with uncertainty hanging over the Korean marque’s future in the WRC beyond 2025, following an announcement that it will move into the World Endurance Championship under its Genesis brand in 2026.
“I’m really excited to join Hyundai Motorsport for the 2025 season. It’s a big opportunity for me and Alex, and we are looking forward to getting started with the team,” said Fourmaux, who is expected to test an i20 N Rally1 car for the first time next week.
“As a driver, you’re always looking to grow and push yourself, and this feels like the right step at the right time. Hyundai has had a strong presence in WRC for years, and I’m proud to be a part of that for the future. I’m ready to give my best and see where this journey takes us.”
Hyundai team principal Cyril Abiteboul added: “Our shared third car approach in 2024 allowed us to deliver one of the team’s strongest years in WRC and I would like to sincerely thank Esapekka, Dani and Andreas for their massive contribution to it.
“For the renewed challenges of next year, consistency and stability across all three cars will be crucial. We’re therefore delighted to confirm Adrien and Alexandre as part of our team after their incredible 2024 season.
“Adrien has impressed not only with the results he has achieved this season, but with his renewed mindset and attitude he has brought to his return to Rally1. We believe our line-up of Thierry, Ott and Adrien will be a formidable force on the world’s stages in 2025.”
Adrien Fourmaux, Alexandre Coria, M-Sport Ford World Rally Team Ford Puma Rally1
Photo by: McKlein / Motorsport Images
What Fourmaux’s exit means for M-Sport
Fourmaux’s departure from M-Sport will force the Ford squad to make changes to its line-up for 2025.
The British operation is yet to announce its plans for what is expected to be a two car line-up for next year.
“It has been an absolute pleasure to work with Adrien and Alex over the last few years. It has been especially rewarding to watch and see their development over the last two years, growing into true professional athletes,” said M-Sport team principal Richard Millener.
“Sharing the joy of the five podiums this year has been really special and I know that the whole team and myself will really miss not having them around. Finally, total respect to both of them – they have made this opportunity for themselves through hard work and determination and they fully deserve this next chapter of their story.”
It is understood Gregoire Munster is among the team’s options to continue in one of its Ford Puma Rally1 entries. Martins Sesks, who impressed the team in three wildcard outings this year, is on the team’s shortlist, while WRC2 drivers Oliver Solberg and Nikolay Gryazin have been linked with the team.
“Things will become clear in the next week or two,” Millener added at Rally Japan.
WRC 2025 driver line-ups
Toyota
Kalle Rovanpera/Jonne Halttunen
Elfyn Evans/Scott Martin
Takamoto Katsuta/Aaron Johnston
Sami Pajari/Marko Salminen
Sebastien Ogier/Vincent Landais (Part-time)
Hyundai
Thierry Neuville/Martijn Wydaeghe
Ott Tanak/Martin Jarveoja
Adrien Fourmaux/Alex Coria
M-Sport-Ford
TBC
TBC
In this article
Tom Howard
WRC
Adrien Fourmaux
Hyundai Motorsport
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Source : Motorsport.com