The window for Australian Chris Atkinson to return as a factory driver in the World Rally Championship is narrowing after Hyundai confirmed that Juho Hanninen will contest an unspecified number of events in 2014.
Hanninen, the 2011 Super 2000 WRC champion, has been rewarded after making an impression as a test driver this year ahead of Hyundai’s WRC re-entry.
Atkinson and Bryan Bouffier have been the other two drivers who have carried out crucial development work in Europe on the i20 program in previous months.
Earlier this month the Korean manufacturer named Thierry Neuville as the #1 pick to lead the company back into the WRC after a 10-year absence.
There remains hope that Atkinson will be part of the share system which Hyundai will implement for the second car beside Belgium star Neuville in the 2014 Championship.
Hyundai has initially only committed to running Hanninen in the Swedish rally, round two of the WRC from February 6-9 following the opening round at Monte Carlo in January.
The team’s leader Michel Nandan would not give much away about the other drivers who are in the frame to join the roster system in the second car.
“Juho has done an outstanding job in testing this year. He has proven to be a very complete driver with a perfect mix of speed and technical abilities, as well as being a real team player giving valuable feedback to our team of engineers,” Nandan told WRC.com
Hyundai continue to hold Atkinson in high regard with the successful former Subaru factory driver being heavily involved in its testing program this year.
Further announcements regarding the drivers of the second i20 are expected soon.
