Abiteboul dismisses outrageous rumors about Hyundai entering F1.

      "They aimed to generate excitement, and they succeeded."

      Former F1 team manager Cyril Abiteboul has downplayed rampant speculation connecting Hyundai to Formula 1. The Frenchman, who once led Renault’s official F1 team, currently oversees Hyundai Motorsport. On Friday, the Korean automaker created a significant stir in the motorsports community with a social media post featuring a Formula 1 car adorned with "What If?" on the rear wing. The post's caption included a line urging followers to "Get ready for the ride," though it was subsequently deleted.

      Despite the post being removed, discussions were already buzzing, with some speculating a connection to recent comments made by Otmar Szafnauer regarding a potential bid for the vacant twelfth entry into F1. While attending Rally Greece, where Abiteboul was supervising Hyundai's world rally team, the 47-year-old remarked: "I believe that was an awkward post from the marketing team in Korea. They sought to create a buzz, and they achieved it," he told France’s Auto Hebdo. "The fact that it has since been taken down indicates there is no substance behind it. There is no F1 project. We have plenty on our plate with our two programs, and we are focused on that."

      In fact, in addition to its ongoing world rally project, Hyundai is also preparing a top-tier 'hypercar' prototype for the World Endurance Championship and Le Mans starting in 2026. As the Hyundai-to-F1 rumors circulated among the Rally Greece paddock, Abiteboul addressed inquiries from the international media. When asked if Hyundai might ultimately enter Formula 1, he said, "Perhaps in the long term, but certainly not in the short term. Our only opportunity would be to enter the market in 2031. Look at Audi - they decided in 2021 to join the market in 2026.

      "Formula 1 operates in a different realm," Abiteboul noted. "We can't come in as a sponsor since we have no interest in covering costs for others—that's not our approach. The alternative would be to enter with our own technology." Interestingly, following Renault's announcement regarding the cessation of its works F1 engine project, rumors emerged suggesting that Abiteboul was recruiting motorsport engineers from Viry-Chatillon. Hyundai has also been associated with Formula E.

      "The technological roadmap of Formula E is appealing," Abiteboul acknowledged. "However, I notice that it's a championship struggling to penetrate the ceiling in terms of audience and fan popularity. We will continue to explore this option," he stated.