Mixed Fortunes Deliver Hyundai Podium And Heartbreak
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The Hyundai squad left Rally del Paraguay with a curious mixture of relief and frustration, scooping an unexpected podium thanks to a dramatic Power Stage while watching another promising run evaporate in heavy rain. Sunday’s four tests – two laps of Bella Vista (SS16/18, 21.25km) and two of Mision Jesuitica Trinidad (SS17/19, 18.50km) – provided a grandstand finish to a rally that never stopped changing underfoot.
Sunday Turnaround
After a sticky start on Friday and Saturday, the Belgian pairing found their rhythm on Sunday. A solid opening run earned them third on SS16, then they took the first Mision Jesuitica Trinidad stage, and climbed to fourth overall before the final test. When the heavens opened on the Power Stage they did not panic, they attacked, taking the stage and the Super Sunday classification. That surge delivered 25 points from the weekend, the second biggest haul of the event behind the winner.
Punctures And Mechanical Gremlins
Another Hyundai crew looked every bit as competitive early on, moving back into contention with a strong morning. Then a puncture on the penultimate stage cruelly dropped them down the order. They showed pace in the Power Stage, but a front right damper problem in the final kilometres robbed them of any late charge. In the end they crossed the line fourth, salvaging five extra Sunday points from a weekend that might have been much better.
Rain Brings Heartbreak
The French crew had spent much of the rally inside the top three and were managing risk sensibly. But when the Power Stage turned into an unexpected swim they struggled for grip and lost vital time, slipping out of podium contention. With set-up flexibility for the next round a priority, the team elected to retire the car rather than push on and risk further damage.
Team Takeaways
A senior team technical official summed the weekend up as a tricky one, with mixed results that mask decent underlying performance. Setup struggles, punctures and a few mechanical issues meant the results were not a true reflection of the car’s potential. Still, some solid points were collected and the championship remains open, so attention turns quickly to Rally Chile with the aim of a cleaner, stronger outing.
Looking Ahead
The championship now shifts to Rally Chile, the next round of the season, scheduled for September 11-14. After the rollercoaster in Paraguay, the Hyundai crews will be hunting for steadier ground and a reminder that fortune can swing both ways in rallying.
Final Top Five – Rally del Paraguay (Team and Car)
1, Toyota GR Yaris Rally1, 3:00:06.6
2, Toyota GR Yaris Rally1, +26.2
3, Hyundai i20 N Rally1, +27.2
4, Hyundai i20 N Rally1, +30.6
5, Toyota GR Yaris Rally1, +2:05.2
Manufacturers Snapshot After Round 10
1, Toyota Gazoo Racing World Rally Team, leading the standings
2, Hyundai Shell Mobis World Rally Team, in second place and within striking distance
The weekend provided a reminder that in rallying you need pace, luck and a bit of composure when the sky decides to have its say. Hyundai leave Paraguay with reasons to be both cheerful and hungry.
Zachary Skinner is the editor of TechDrivePlay.com, where tech, cars and adventure share the fast lane.
A former snowboarding pro and programmer, he brings both creative flair and technical know-how to his reviews. From high-performance cars to clever gadgets, he explores how innovation shapes the way we move, connect and live.
