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Hyundai Motorsport finalises 2017 WRC driver line-up

Hyundai Motorsport has announced a two-year extension to its contract with Belgian driver Thierry Neuville
Neuville has been part of Hyundai Motorsport's line-up since the team's WRC debut in 2014, taking two wins and a total of nine podiums in that time
2017 driver line-up of Neuville, Hayden Paddon and Dani Sordo offers the team important stability as it builds on strong foundations to prepare for WRC's new era.

Hyundai Motorsport has finalised its driver line-up for the 2017 FIA World Rally Championship (WRC) with the announcement today that Thierry Neuville has signed a two-year extension to his contract with the team.

Neuville will compete with Hyundai Motorsport in the 2017 and 2018 WRC seasons alongside co-driver Nicolas Gilsoul as part of a three-crew team. Hayden Paddon and Dani Sordo are also contracted for two further years, which will offer the team important consistency as WRC moves into a new era with revised regulations.

Having first been announced as a Hyundai Motorsport driver back in November 2013, Neuville has been an integral part of the team's growth on the competitive world rally stage. There were already a number of milestones in its inaugural WRC season in 2014. The Belgian claimed the team's maiden podium in Mexico and followed that up with a debut victory in Germany.

In his three seasons with the team to date, Neuville has claimed two victories, the most recent of which was scored with the New Generation i20 WRC in Rally Italia Sardegna earlier this year. He has amassed a total of nine podiums, including his second-place at Tour de Corse last weekend.

Thierry Neuville said: "I am delighted to extend my contract with Hyundai Motorsport for two more years. Although I had alternative options available, it seemed the most logical decision to keep up the great momentum we have within this team. 2017 will be a new era for the WRC with the revised regulations. We have shared very special moments together since the team's debut in WRC. Our first win together in Germany was one of my career highlights. With a new car next year, and even more ambitious targets, I am excited by what this next chapter will bring."

Team Principal Michel Nandan commented: "Thierry has been a great asset to our team so we are pleased to announce this two-year extension. There has been a lot of talk about Thierry's future, which is obviously part of the motorsport game, but the fact we continue together shows the strength of our relationship. We have had some great memories, as well as some difficult moments, but overall we've been on a positive growth curve together. Now we have finalised our driver line-up with Thierry, Hayden and Dani, we can aim for a competitive finish to our 2016 season, as well as focusing on development of our 2017 challenger."