Hyundai Wraps Season With Double Podium In Saudi Desert Finale
2025 rally saudi arabia 06
Hyundai Motorsport finished the 2025 WRC season in flamboyant fashion, claiming a one-two at Rally Saudi Arabia to close the year on a high. The Belgian pairing took the victory – their first of the campaign – while a French crew brought home second, capping a debut season with the team in style.
Three stages settled the final 65.86 km of competition. Two loops of Thahban measured 16.29 km each, split by a single run through the event’s longest test, Asfan, at 33.28 km. It was a simple enough recipe for drama: long, loose and eminently capable of producing chaos.
The Final Day Battle
The eventual winners started the last day a mere 3.4 seconds off the lead and then set about extracting every last ounce of speed and sanity from their i20. A tidy run on the opening test put them among the fastest, and by the time the crews reached Asfan the pendulum had swung. Two punctures afflicted their closest rivals and the Belgians moved into the lead. A cautious but clever Power Stage ensured they would not squander it, finishing with a comfortable margin of 54.7 seconds. It was the sort of recovery that suggests this pairing refuses to know when they are beaten.
Second Place And A Confident Debut
The other Hyundai crew dealt with adversity all weekend, starting Saturday lower in the order after a time penalty from the previous day. They reacted like professionals: quick tyres calls, measured aggression and a flawless head under pressure. A rapid opening test on the day and consistent stage times elsewhere promoted them into second, which they defended on the final test. Four podiums in a first season with the i20 confirm that speed and composure are both in the cupboard.
A Respectful Farewell
An Estonian pairing endured some grip-related dramas on the first loop of Thahban, running wide at a junction, but regrouped to deliver a trouble-free run through the longest stage. They pushed for one last flourish on the Power Stage and secured a final top-three stage time. This weekend also marked their final WRC appearance before stepping away for 2026, and the team acknowledged their service and professionalism after a demanding season.
Team Reflection And Looking Ahead
The Rally Saudi Arabia result provided a positive bookend to a season that often felt frustrating. Across 2025 the team amassed 15 podiums and two victories, lessons aplenty and enough promise to head into 2026 with optimism. The plan is clear – develop the car, refine the structure and return to the Monte-Carlo opener with more upgrades and purpose.
Voices From The Service Park
The winning driver reflected on a long wait between victories and praised the team for their hard work, noting that the next weeks will be crucial to transform recent learnings into genuine championship contenders. The second-placed driver described satisfaction with tyre choices and pressure management, calling the weekend confirmation that the right steps have been taken. The departing Estonian driver spoke of enjoying the drive and being grateful for rallying’s rewards, while the team’s sporting director thanked everyone involved for a massive collective effort and praised the professionalism shown by all crews.
Final overall classification – Rally Saudi Arabia
1. Hyundai i20 N Rally1 – 3:21:17.3
2. Hyundai i20 N Rally1 – +54.7
3. Toyota GR Yaris Rally1 – +1:03.3
4. Toyota GR Yaris Rally1 – +1:51.7
5. Toyota GR Yaris Rally1 – +1:59.9
6. Toyota GR Yaris Rally1 – +3:43.9
7. Toyota GR Yaris Rally1 – +5:31.5
8. Ford Puma Rally1 – +7:07.2
9. Ford Puma Rally1 – +8:30.5
10. Toyota GR Yaris Rally1 – +10:00.6
2025 Manufacturers’ Standings (after round 14)
1. Toyota Gazoo Racing World Rally Team – 735 points
2. Hyundai Shell Mobis World Rally Team – 511 points
3. M-Sport Ford World Rally Team – 205 points
4. Toyota Gazoo Racing World Rally Team 2 – 158 points
Next up, the 2026 WRC season begins with Rallye Monte-Carlo from January 22 to 25. Expect cold stone, tricky tarmac and the kind of unpredictability that makes rallying properly entertaining.
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.
