Hyundai Motorsport Supercharges Rally and Endurance Ambitions with Strategic Signings!
In a bold move that signals its unwavering commitment to motorsport, Hyundai Motorsport has announced the addition of two powerhouse figures to its team, ramping up resources for its World Rally Championship (WRC) and World Endurance Championship (WEC) campaigns. Beginning January 1, 2026, seasoned professionals Sebastien Metz and Massimo Carriero will take on pivotal roles as Operations Director and Head of Engineering, respectively, paving the way for a new era in Hyundai’s racing endeavors.
The South Korean automotive giant is not just making waves in rallying; it’s diving headfirst into endurance racing under its luxurious Genesis brand, with its WEC debut on the horizon. This strategic expansion follows the recent appointment of Andrew Wheatley, former FIA road sport director, who now helms the newly minted role of WRC Sporting Director. With the team stretched thin amidst its multiple racing commitments, these key signings are a tactical maneuver to bolster Hyundai’s competitive edge.
Hyundai’s WRC campaign has faced challenges this year, with its upgraded i20 N securing only a single win out of twelve rallies—a stark reminder of the fierce competitiveness in the world of motorsport. Enter Sebastien Metz, whose vast experience spans both circuit racing and rallying. Having previously excelled at Multimatic on LMDh and GT3 programs, Metz is set to oversee all operations and facilities at Hyundai Motorsport, ensuring day-to-day efficiency while strategically planning for the future.
“It is a great source of pride to have my experience and professionalism recognized by a manufacturer of such stature,” Metz expressed. “I am eager to support company president Cyril Abiteboul in shaping our overall motorsport strategy, working closely with technical director FX Demaison to optimize our tools and strengthen the existing structure. My goal? To transform the team into a robust, high-performing, and autonomous unit while advancing Hyundai’s projects and the sporting deployment of Genesis.”
But that’s not all—Massimo Carriero will also play a crucial role, collaborating with Demaison to elevate Hyundai Motorsport’s engineering capabilities. With a rich background as a Test and Development Engineer for McLaren Motorsport’s GT3 programs and significant experience at M-Sport, Carriero is poised to elevate Hyundai’s engineering prowess to new heights. “Sharing my time with Cyril, FX, and Hyundai Motorsport is a valuable opportunity to contribute to ongoing motorsport projects,” Carriero noted, highlighting the importance of teamwork and expertise in driving future improvements.
Team principal Cyril Abiteboul heralded these appointments as a “key step” in solidifying Hyundai’s future in motorsport. He emphasized the importance of these roles, stating, “Adding the positions of Operations Director and Head of Engineering, along with Andrew Wheatley’s recent appointment as Sporting Director for our WRC team, enhances our structure. Each person can now focus more closely on their responsibilities, which allows us to work more efficiently across all our programs.”
While Hyundai is fully committed to a factory program in the WEC, the path forward in the WRC remains murky. Abiteboul has already indicated that the development of a new car in accordance with the WRC’s impending technical regulations for 2027 is off the table. However, he has not ruled out the possibility of upgrading the Rally2 to maintain a presence in rallying’s elite arena.
As Hyundai Motorsport gears up for the future with these strategic appointments, fans and competitors alike will be watching closely. Will these moves propel Hyundai to the forefront of motorsport glory, or will they struggle to find their footing in the increasingly competitive landscape? Only time will tell, but one thing is certain: Hyundai is not backing down.








