Hyundai, stop electric cars. The Korean giant is thinking seriously about Formula E

Hyundai may enter Formula E based on a general review of its motorsport strategies. This is confirmed by Andreas-Christoph Hofmann. “We know that in 2026 there will be new regulations in the WRC (where Hyundai has been present since 2014 and has won two world titles for manufacturers, ed.). This is why we ask ourselves if it is still the right category for us” says the vice president of Marketing, Products and Hyundai Motor Europe PR. The Korean manufacturer, one of the pioneers of electrification, does not see the return of only gasoline engines as positive and does not believe that the savings that follow are such as to make a unit attractive to others that wears out with presence, as with Hyundai itself, Toyota and Ford alone through M-Sport. «The WRC will eliminate electrification, but the costs will remain more or less the same and we are exploring more options: from Formula 1 to Formula E. We have not decided yet, but anything is possible».

Hyundai E system there have been talks since 2019 and the announcement of the first Seoul E-Prix, which will only take place in 2022, in Korea which is also the home of major battery manufacturers such as LG and Samsung, on the other hand, in Formula 1 has been talked about since the beginning of 2023, and appointed as head of the team of Cyril Abiteboul, CEO of Renault F1 from 2014 to 2020. Indeed, within Hyundai a different idea has been developed on the role of competition, until now it focuses on the categories that have series production. The concept of racing with single seats, whether hybrid or electric, says that Hyundai wants to change, but not revolutionize. The connection between the track and the road was recently confirmed by the eN1, designed for the championship to make one and based on the Ioniq 5 N, the car that launches the cycle in which all new Hyundai road sports cars will be electric. So, if you want the letter N to match performance and zero discharge, the Model E would be the most logical choice. If, however, Seoul wanted to consolidate the image of the number three manufacturer in the world and the leader of all forms of electricity, the right choice – but the most expensive – would be Formula 1 which from 2026 will take half of its power from. electricity. Then there is hydrogen. Concepts like the N Vision 74 and N2025 Vision make it clear that Hyundai is also keeping a close eye on all the competition that will use the technology it has always believed in.