The latest news from the WRC is that the Hyundai WRC team will take a “break” at the conclusion of the 2003 season. The team has been cash-strapped since last year, limiting testing and development for the Accent. The team is currently in last place in the manufacturer’s championship standings, 10 points behind Skoda (and Hyundai should be glad Skoda introduced the Fabia, or else they’d be even further in the hole). This leaves Armin Schwarz without a seat for next season, as Freddy Loix had already left the team to sign with Peugeot. Hyundai plans to return to the WRC in 2006 with a limited program.

With this news, there is currently one drive open among the works teams — Mitsubishi. They’ve signed Gilles Panizzi for next year, but the second seat is still open, and there are plenty of drivers looking for a team.

Posted on 18 September 2003