Fourmaux already feels “pretty comfortable” within the Hyundai WRC automotive

New Hyundai buyer Adrien Fourmaux says he already feels “pretty comfortable” in the brand new surroundings of the World Rally Championship ahead of the season opener in Monte Carlo next week.

Fourmaux has emerged as a key player in the motive force's market after making the choice to maneuver from M-Sport-Ford to Hyundai, where he’ll pilot the Korean brand's third i20 N Rally1 full-time.

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The Frenchman had a busy off-season with Hyundai, which included a visit to the team's test facility in Finland and victory within the Rallye National Hivernal du Devoluy in December, before undertaking pre-event testing in Monte Carlo, France, last week.

While Fourmaux says it's difficult to feel completely prepared for the challenges Monte Carlo brings, he feels he's quickly turn into accustomed to the i20 N.

“This [testing] was really positive for us, but the large test for us was the Devoluy rally and I feel it was a very helpful experience with [new Hankook] tires and automotive,” Fourmaux told Motorsport.com.

“Last Friday was nice too as we were lucky to have a frost within the morning and a dampness within the afternoon before full rain, so we had mixed conditions and a few snow, so I feel quite prepared.

“But in Monte Carlo you’ll be able to never feel prepared. You all the time wish to try more [settings] because there are so many alternative conditions.

Adrien Fourmaux, Hyundai World Rally Team

Photo: Vincent Thuillier / Hyundai Motorsport

“I actually appreciate that the team put me in position to achieve confidence within the automotive before Christmas, and we also did two days of testing in Finland with the brand new automotive within the snow, so I did plenty of driving within the automotive in December.

“I feel you usually need a rally to feel comfortable. I remember last yr and although I knew Puma, there are all the time changes and you might be on the lookout for a bit.

“But after testing and the Devoluy rally I feel quite good, so I hope we can do a good rally.”

Fourmaux believes the i20 N is simpler to drive now that the hybrid drive has been faraway from the automotive in step with the brand new 2025 technical regulations.

“We have lost plenty of weight, so driving is simpler and more enjoyable [to] drive, but we definitely lost some power and drivers all the time want more power,” he added.

“But weight is a very important thing, especially on gravel, it would be interesting. I just like the recent regulations, but from a political perspective it will be nice to maintain the hybrid, but that's what the FIA ​​and the promoter decided.”