ALGHERO/SEOUL, JUNE 2, 2024 – Hyundai Motorsport is celebrating a fantastic finish to Rally Italia Sardegna, the sixth round of the FIA World Rally Championship season (WRC), where Ott Tänak snatched victory on the final stage of the event by just two-tenths of a second.The Estonian had been gaining on rally leader Sébastien Ogier throughout the day as their intense battle continued, yet it appeared the gap was insurmountable heading into the Power Stage. However, this unpredictable rally held one final surprise: a puncture for Ogier saw the advantage swing back to Tänak when it mattered most. The incredible result matches the 2011 Jordan Rally for the closest-ever finish in WRC history and marks a seventh win for Hyundai Shell Mobis World Rally Team in Sardinia.It is also Hyundai Motorsport’s second consecutive double podium finish, with Dani Sordo/CándidoCarrera joining their team-mates after safely bringing their Hyundai i20 N Rally1 Hybrid home in third. Meanwhile, Thierry Neuville/Martijn Wydaeghe topped the Super Sunday standings in a superb recovery from their Saturday frustrations.Sunday featured two tests: Cala Flumini (SS13/15, 12.55km) and Sassari-Argentiera (SS14/16, 7.10km). Hyundai Shell Mobis World Rally Team was quick out the blocks: once again, Neuville refused to let the disadvantage of being first on the road hamper his mission to score maximum points. Two stage wins in the morning loop established the Belgian at the top of the Super Sunday standings.Tänak was similarly on a charge, with the Estonian claiming two second-fastest times in SS13 and SS14 to confirm a double Hyundai Motorsport 1-2 in stage. Another stage win for Tänak on SS15 narrowed the gap to first to just 6.2 seconds heading into the Power Stage.Neuville’s early benchmark on SS16 proved to be untouchable, as conditions on the stage continued to worsen for the later runners. This allowed the Belgian to claim full Power Stage and Super Sunday points and maintain his position at the top of the drivers’ championship.Tänak’s win, his first of the 2024 season and the team’s 30th victory in FIA WRC, sees the Estonian gain ground in the standings to now sit joint second. Sordo maintained his solid pace on Sunday to successfully confirm a terrific team result, scoring important points for the team’s fight in the manufacturers’ championship. As a result, Hyundai Motorsport has extended its advantage to 13 points.

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