Thierry Neuville, the reigning WRC world champion, is sounding cautiously optimistic after a rocky start to the 2025 season. Despite Hyundai struggling to extract the full speed from its heavily upgraded i20 N, Neuville insists the car has untapped potential that could challenge rivals like Toyota as the season progresses.

After Rally Chile, Neuville admitted concerns over the performance gap between Hyundai and Toyota. The team tried multiple car set-ups, but the 2025-specification i20 N failed to reach its optimum pace. “We didn’t get the best out of the car,” Neuville explained, signaling that the WRC car may need fine-tuning before it can truly shine.

This is not Hyundai’s first struggle with its upgraded car. In April, when the 2025-spec i20 N tackled asphalt for the first time at the Canary Islands, the team found itself unable to match Toyota’s speed. The season-opening Monte Carlo Rally, run with the 2024-spec car, had initially seemed promising, but the new car revealed unexpected challenges on asphalt.

Extra Mileage in Belgium Sparks Hope

Since Chile, Hyundai has thrown itself into intensive testing. Neuville contested the East Belgian Rally before a pre-event test day, while teammate Adrien Fourmaux took part in the European Rally Championship round in Croatia. Ott Tänak also returned to testing duties to help Hyundai optimize the 2025 i20 N.

Neuville described his Belgian outing as delivering “interesting conclusions” from the extra mileage. He emphasized that the car has more potential than its predecessor. “We know we have some room for improvement, and we have detected areas where the car can be faster. Hopefully, those areas can be solved quickly,” Neuville said.

The driver believes that while the car’s performance window has shifted compared to the 2024 model, Hyundai has yet to find the “perfect window” for maximum speed, especially on asphalt.

The Challenge of Matching Toyota

The Hyundai team knows that performance improvements will be critical when facing Toyota. With Central European Rally (CER) approaching, Neuville remains cautious. “We will only see after a couple of stages how we compare to the Toyotas,” he said, highlighting the unpredictable role of weather and the road position disadvantage in rallying.

Neuville won the Central European Rally in 2023, giving him confidence but also emphasizing the challenge of repeating that success with a new car under different conditions. The unpredictable nature of rallying—gravel, asphalt, rain, and changing temperatures—adds to the uncertainty of whether Hyundai can consistently match Toyota’s pace.

What’s Different About the 2025 Hyundai i20 N?

The 2025 i20 N represents a significant upgrade from the 2024 car. Engineers focused on improving aerodynamics, suspension, and chassis balance to give drivers better handling across different surfaces. Despite these upgrades, unlocking the car’s true speed has proven difficult, particularly on asphalt.

Neuville notes that driving style, set-up adjustments, and mileage are all factors in finding the car’s sweet spot. With additional testing in Belgium and Austria, Hyundai aims to refine handling windows and improve the car’s consistency across stages.

Hyundai’s Strategic Testing Schedule

Hyundai’s approach in 2025 shows a methodical focus on improvement. Neuville’s Belgian rally mileage provided valuable data, while Fourmaux’s recent events and Tänak’s tests contribute to a broader understanding of the car. This systematic testing is crucial for refining set-ups, identifying weaknesses, and maximizing WRC performance.

The team’s plan includes back-to-back comparisons between the 2024 and 2025 cars, as suggested by Fourmaux after Rally Chile. These tests aim to reveal which car spec offers the best chance against Toyota and to fine-tune the i20 N for upcoming rallies.

Potential Breakthroughs Before Central European Rally

Neuville remains optimistic that improvements are within reach. “There is room for improvement in terms of set-ups and where the car works best,” he said. The upcoming Central European Rally could provide the first real indication of the 2025 car’s true pace against the competition.

The rally’s mixed surfaces and potential rain will test Hyundai’s adaptability. While road position may be less favorable, Neuville believes the i20 N’s hidden potential could shine once the team identifies the optimal set-up.

Hyundai vs. Toyota: The Battle Intensifies

Toyota has started the 2025 season strong, and Hyundai’s ability to catch up remains in question. Neuville emphasizes the importance of incremental gains: “We still need more driving, but we know where we can make progress.”

The 2025 season promises exciting battles between the WRC giants. Hyundai’s upgrades could level the playing field if the team successfully unlocks the car’s performance potential. Fans and analysts alike are watching closely to see if Neuville and his teammates can challenge Toyota at every rally.

What Fans Can Expect

For fans of World Rally Championship, the 2025 season promises unpredictability. With Hyundai struggling early but showing glimpses of untapped speed, rallies like Central European Rally will be critical in shaping the championship narrative.

Neuville’s candid comments reveal the human side of WRC racing—a combination of skill, engineering, strategy, and adaptability. Fans can expect close battles, unexpected developments, and high stakes as teams push the limits of technology and talent.

Why the 2025 i20 N Could Be a Game-Changer

While early season struggles have raised questions, Neuville believes that the 2025 i20 N has the potential to redefine Hyundai’s WRC campaign. If the team can find the optimal set-up, leverage the latest technological upgrades, and maximize driver performance, Hyundai could challenge Toyota for the 2025 championship.

The coming rallies, including Central European Rally and other mixed-surface events, will reveal whether Hyundai can convert its potential into tangible stage wins and podium finishes.

The Road Ahead for Hyundai

Hyundai’s plan for the rest of 2025 is clear: test relentlessly, analyze performance data, and refine set-ups to exploit the full potential of the i20 N. Neuville and teammates Fourmaux and Tänak are at the center of this push, providing the team with critical insights that could turn early season struggles into a title-contending campaign.

The challenge remains daunting: Toyota’s consistent pace sets a high benchmark. Yet, Neuville’s confidence in the car’s untapped potential suggests that Hyundai is far from finished.

As the WRC calendar progresses, fans will be watching to see if Hyundai can unlock the full speed of its 2025 i20 N and turn early-season concerns into championship-winning momentum.