Fans of Netflix’s ‘Drive to Survive’ will remember Cyril Abiteboul from his time with Renault, when he would often be seen arguing with Red Bull’s Christian Horner, following the energy drink giant’s decision to move away from Renault engines.
Abiteboul gave fans one of the most iconic moments in the series, as he taunted Horner after signing Daniel Ricciardo from Red Bull, telling the Brit that Red Bull may not have Renault engines, but Renault have their driver.
When the team rebranded to Alpine in 2021, Abiteboul left his role as managing director of Renault and took two seasons away from motorsport management, only being involved with Mecacrome as their motorsport advisor.
Now, after his sabbatical has come to an end, Abiteboul has signed for Hyundai Motorsport to become the team principal of the World Rally Championship team.
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Having initially joined Renault in 2001, the Frenchman brings a vast amount of experience to Hyundai, with knowledge of just about everything needed to be a successful team principal.
Despite taking two years away from motorsport management, Abiteboul has claimed that his passion for motorsport never went away, suggesting that he was simply waiting for the right opportunity to arise.
“Actually, it was still very strong in my blood, the appetite for the thrill of motorsport. We had a mutual connection with Hyundai, and I knew that they were looking for a team principal,” the Frenchman told WRC.com.
“I was not particularly active, but I made contact and it was a good fit between what Hyundai was looking for and what I was also looking for. There was a natural willingness to go further, and it’s only a few weeks ago that we decided that this would happen.”
Abiteboul will face the daunting task of ending Toyota Gazoo Racing’s two year winning streak in the manufacturers’ championship and will only have a week to prepare his team before the 2023 season gets underway at Rallye Monte-Carlo.
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The 45-year-old has expressed his delight at his new role, claiming that he is excited to get started with Hyundai.
“I am taking this challenge like all the challenges I have been through in my life: with lots of humility, but I’m also extremely excited and passionate about what can be done and what needs to be done.”
The team finished as runners up in 2022, meaning that Abiteboul will have to improve Hyundai’s performances if he wishes to bring the manufacturers’ title back to the team for the first time since 2020.