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Hyundai Targets Another Podium At Rally Chile 2025
After a turbulent weekend in Paraguay, Hyundai Motorsport packs its toolkit and heads south to Rally Chile, the second leg of the South American double and round 11 of the 2025 World Rally Championship. The mood is one of cautious optimism. The chassis are intact, the tyres are (mostly) intact, and the objective is simple: get back on the podium.
A Familiar But Tricky Test
Rally Chile is the penultimate gravel test of the year and it could not be more different from Paraguay. Where Paraguay was rough and unpredictable, Chile serves up smooth, flowing stages that demand precision, rhythm and a car balance that behaves like a well-mannered animal. Experience counts here; Hyundai crews have been on the podium at every previous Chile outing, so the team knows where the traps are.
Response After Paraguay
The recent weekend in Paraguay was a proper rollercoaster. All three Hyundai entries ran in podium positions at various points, with car 1 coming home third, car 8 finishing fourth and car 16 forced to retire. With no return to base between events, the engineers and mechanics prepared the cars on site in Paraguay, working under time pressure and limited facilities to get everything ready for Chile.
Team Outlook
The team principal made it clear that the rally is a chance to convert recent positives into points. The plan is straightforward: attack from the off, exploit experience on these roads and aim for nothing less than a top-three finish. In a tightly contested championship, every point is precious and Chile is a place where a clean weekend can pay dividends.
Crew Notes: Car 8
The crew in car 8 described Chile as pure rallying: flowing and smooth, yet technical. They emphasised the need for an adaptable car balance and careful tyre choices, noting that weather and road position can turn tyre calls into a lottery. Recent punctures and small issues in Paraguay compromised performance, so the aim is to get the car back to form on these familiar roads.
Crew Notes: Car 1
The crew in car 1 arrive with confidence after past good results in Chile and a favourable road position at the start. They explained that a setup tailored to Chile should make the car feel more comfortable on the surface and that correct tyre decisions will be crucial, given how demanding the stages are on rubber. Early consistent runs are the priority.
Crew Notes: Car 16
Car 16 returns for a second Chile entry, buoyed by encouraging pace in Paraguay despite having to retire. The crew highlighted the event’s varied road profile and tricky weather, where fog and elevation changes can move around and upset visibility. Pacenotes will be vital, and maintaining the pace shown previously would make the team content.
Itinerary And Strategy
The 2025 itinerary mirrors 2024 exactly: 16 stages covering 306.76 kilometres of competitive distance spread over four days. Friday features two loops of Pulpería, Rere and San Rosendo. Saturday is the longest day with six stages including Pelún, Lota and María las Cruces. Sunday wraps up with two loops of Laraquete and BioBio. With championship standings tight, confidence on familiar roads and flawless execution could be the difference between a quiet weekend and a haul of points.
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.
