Michelin claims first WRC victory with Hyundai

MANILA, Philippines - The ADAC Rallye Deutschland, round nine of the 2014 FIA World Rally Championship (WRC), ended on Sunday, August 24, with the first win – and first one-two finish – for Hyundai Motorsport in rallying’s showcase series. It was also the first world class success for Michelin in association with its Korean partner, the rallying department of which is based in Alzenau, Germany.

After the promising third-place finishes they secured earlier in the year in Mexico and Poland, Thierry Neuville and Nicolas Gilsoul put the No.7 Hyundai i20 WRC on the highest step of the podium in Germany, followed in the order by Dani Sordo and Marc Marti in the No.8 sister car. Both Hyundai Motorsport crews survived what turned out to be a particularly taxing and drama-filled event. The Belgian pair produced a mature performance to claim their first WRC victory, while Dani Sordo provided another example of his speed on asphalt.

The 2014 Rallye Deutschland took place in fickle weather and cool, autumn-like temperatures. Indeed, the delicate conditions and tricky stages caught out a high number of front-runners, resulting in some dramatic changes to the leaderboard.

The changeable weather meant that both hard- and soft-compound tires were used at different times depending on the teams’ respective strategies. The 235/40R18-sized asymmetric and directional Michelin Pilot Sport H2 (hard) was the preferred choice for Friday’s dry roads, but the softer S2 version was the chief option for the remainder of the rally, including for the visits to the notoriously punishing Panzerplatte test.

Pascal COUASNON (Director, Michelin Motorsport): “My congratulations to Hyundai Motorsport. To have won a rally so soon after its FIA World Rally Championship debut is a big achievement. Their one-two finish on such a demanding asphalt event as Rallye Deutschland is a fitting reward for the quality work they have put in during their maiden season.”

Jacques MORELLI, manager of Michelin’s rally programs: “Not only were our tires competitive and durable but they also proved remarkably strong, as illustrated by the big knock taken by Andreas Mikkelsen’s rear-left wheel on Friday. The rim sustained significant damage but the tire remained intact and allowed the Norwegian to complete the stage and drive back to service without having to change the wheel. Andreas and his co-driver Ola Floene went on to finish third overall.”

The rain was not heavy enough, however, to warrant use of the new Michelin Pilot Sport FW (Full Wet).

For the next round of the 2014 WRC (Rallye de France-Alsace), Michelin will introduce the new Michelin Pilot Sport H4/S4, since its current asphalt tire bowed out of the championship after Rallye Deutschland with an unbeaten record. The  new-generation  tire  packs  a number  of evolutions with regard to its construction and materials, as well as an all-new tread pattern which resembles that of the Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2 road tire. It will notably deliver additional grip in wet conditions compared with the existing solutions.

The WRC-2 battle in Germany opposed three drivers competing on the tires of three different brands. The win went to the Michelin-equipped Ford Fiesta R5 of Pontus Tidemand and Emil Axelsson, while Michelin’s successful weekend continued with victory in WRC-3 for Stéphane Lefebvre and Thomas Dubios.