Esapekka Lappi and Craig Breen will move to the Hyundai Motorsport squad for the 2023 Word Rally Championship season with the latter driving on a part-time basis.
Esapekka Lappi formed part of Toyota’s part-time duo as the Finn shared a car with eight-time World Rally Champion Sebastien Ogier, however with the Japanese marque promoting Katsuta and Lappi wanting a full-time drive, Lappi has made the move to Hyundai. Having also previously been a driver for M-Sport Ford, Lappi now has the distinction of having driven for all three of the series leading manufacturers.
Craig Breen has re-signed to Hyundai following his stint with M-Sport, the Irishman will be on a ride sharing arrangement with Dani Sordo having had a similar arrangement in his previous stint with the team from 2019-2021.
Lappi and Breen take up the spots that were left vacated by Ott Tanak and Oliver Solberg. Tanak parted ways with Hyundai at the close of the season for personal reasons, whereas Solberg was dropped by the team due to poor results.
Thierry Neuville will continue to lead the squad on a full-time campaign, looking to take the Driver’s crown away from Rovanpera. While the line-up is sorted, which rounds Sordo and Breen are to compete in have yet to be determined.
Hyundai Motorsport Team Principal, Julien Moncet, hopes that the experienced line-up can return the squad to the top: “We are pleased to confirm our complete driver line-up for the 2023 WRC season with a three-car line-up and four experienced crews,” Moncet said. “With these four crews, we have a competitive and experienced combination of talent, which will underpin the teamwork ethos and mentality within our entire organisation.”
