Hyundai make big WRC signing ahead of upcoming Central European Rally
14th October 2025Hyundai has confirmed that Andrew Wheatley will join the team as their World Rally Championship Sporting Director, effective immediately.
Feature image credit: Hyundai Motorsport
On Tuesday, Hyundai confirmed that Wheatley will join the squad as their WRC Sporting Director, a newly-created role within the team. The team confirm it ‘reinforces’ their commitment to the success of the WRC.
Wheatley will join the team with immediate effect and will be present at the upcoming Central European Rally this weekend, and will attend Rally Japan and Rally Saudi Arabia for the final two rounds of the season.
“Andrew’s appointment as WRC Sporting Director is an important strengthening of Hyundai Motorsport’s leadership,” commented Hyundai Motorsport President Cyril Abiteboul. “As we diversify our motorsport portfolio, it is essential that we enhance the management focus for each of our activities.
“In addition to his unwavering passion for rally, Andrew brings a wealth of experience that will bolster our WRC operations, supporting the crews and Hyundai Motorsport’s senior management in the day-to-day operations in pursuit of success in WRC, as well as in identifying long-term strategic opportunities in the off-road categories.”
Hyundai’s new Sporting Director will report to Hyundai Motorsport President, Abiteboul, and will work closely with the leadership team, Technical Director François-Xavier Demaison, Team Manager Pablo Marcos and WRC Head of Engineering Jan de Jongh.
Wheatley has extensive experience in the WRC, having worked in the sport for 28 years. Additionally, he has worked with the FIA (Fédération Internationale de l’Automobile) as the WRC Category Manager before he took on the role of Road Sport Director.
In his Road Sport Director role, the newly-appointed Sporting Director managed three world championship series: WRC, World RX and W2RC, as well as 15 regional championships.
“I am delighted to join Hyundai Motorsport as WRC Sporting Director at this very exciting time,” said Wheatley. “This is a team that has the experience, skill and strong driver line-up to win world championships.
“My role is to support our experienced team in every department, helping them navigate the day-to-day challenges they face and sharing my knowledge to help drive our performance.
“All the raw ingredients are there, and my goal is to work alongside Cyril, FC, Pablo and Jan to make our pathway to success as smooth as possible.”
Hyundai has confirmed that, as the Sporting Director, Wheatley will play his part in the day-to-day running of the Hyundai Shell Mobis World Rally Team, and will support the senior management team to analyse the upcoming WRC regulations.
Additionally, he will help shape Hyundai’s long-term strategy in rally.
Read more WRC here:
- Central European Rally: the latest forecast ahead of the rally
- Opinion: Oliver Solberg WILL be Kalle Rovanpera’s WRC replacement in 2026
- World Rally Championship launches ‘spectator safety’ campaign
- Kalle Rovanpera set to leave WRC for circuit racing in 2026
- Hyundai crews contest in national rally ahead of WRC Central European Rally
- Ott Tanak not scoring manufacturer points for remaining 2025 WRC season
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Hi, I’m Kamron. I created ApexMotorsports.co.uk in the dying embers of the 2021 Formula 1 world championship. It allowed me freedom to write whatever I wanted to write about which was all things motorsports, my passion.
I have put a lot of effort in over the years to keep this website in its best shape and I’ve loved seeing the brand grow consistently, month-on-month, year-on-year. My ambition is to keep watching this brand grow into a primary outlet of news for all things motorsports whilst fueling my desire to pursue a career in sports journalism, specialising in motorsports.
Kamron Kent
Hi, I'm Kamron. I created ApexMotorsports.co.uk in the dying embers of the 2021 Formula 1 world championship. It allowed me freedom to write whatever I wanted to write about which was all things motorsports, my passion. I have put a lot of effort in over the years to keep this website in its best shape and I've loved seeing the brand grow consistently, month-on-month, year-on-year. My ambition is to keep watching this brand grow into a primary outlet of news for all things motorsports whilst fueling my desire to pursue a career in sports journalism, specialising in motorsports.
