Fourmaux already feeling ”quite comfortable” in Hyundai WRC car

New Hyundai signing Adrien Fourmaux says he already feels “quite comfortable” within his new World Rally Championship surroundings heading into next week’s Monte Carlo season opener. 

Fourmaux emerged as the key player in the driver market after deciding to move from M-Sport-Ford to Hyundai, where he will pilot the Korean marque’s third i20 N Rally1 entry on a full-time basis.

The Frenchman had a busy off-season settling in at Hyundai that included an outing at the team’s testing facility in Finland and victory in Rallye National Hivernal du Devoluy in December, before he undertook a pre-event Monte Carlo test in France last week. 

While Fourmaux says it is difficult to feel totally prepared for the challenges that Monte Carlo will present, he feels he has quickly gelled with the i20 N.

“It [testing] has been really positive for us but the big test for us was the Devoluy rally and I think that was a really valuable experience with the [new Hankook] tyres and the car,” Fourmaux told Motorsport.com. 

“Last Friday was nice too as we were lucky to get some frost in the morning and humidity before full rain in the afternoon, so we had mixed conditions and some snow, so I feel quite prepared. 

“But for Monte Carlo you can never feel prepared. You would always like to try more [settings] as there are so many different conditions.

“I really appreciate the team put me in a good position to get confidence in the car before Christmas, and also we did two days of testing in Finland with the new car on snow, so I have driven quite a lot in December with the car.

“I think you always need a rally to feel comfortable. I remember last year and even though I knew the Puma there are always changes and you are searching a little bit. 

“But after the test and the Devoluy rally, I feel quite comfortable, so I just hope we can do a good rally.”

Fourmaux believes the i20 N is easier to drive now that hybrid power has been removed from the car as per the new 2025 technical regulations. 

“We have lost a lot of weight so the handling of the car is easier and nicer [to] drive, but we have lost some power for sure, and drivers always want more power,” he added.

“But the weight is a big thing, especially on gravel, it will be interesting. I like the new regulations but for me politically it would have been nice to keep the hybrid, but this is what the FIA and the promoter have decided.”