Hyundai was behind at round one, but Adrien Fourmaux's ambition - and targets - remain intact
Photography by Hyundai
Words by Luke Barry
The answering was a resounding yes.
Yes, Adrien Fourmaux believed he could finally snare his maiden World Rally Championship victory in Monte Carlo.
It wasn’t to be; fourth all that was realistically on the table for the Hyundai driver.
Beyond that, we know Fourmaux was looking at 2026 as a season he could challenge for the championship.
After Monte Carlo, would that answer still be a yes?
“Yes,” he smiled. “Yes, because I know that on gravel and on snow it’s going to be fine.”
And on Tarmac?
The i20's speed on Tarmac is just a blip, believes Fourmaux. Gravel and snow will be better
“If Japan and Canarias are dry, it should be OK,” Fourmaux reasoned.
“We have seen in Japan [last year] that we made a big step with the car, and I was quite satisfied.
“Until the rain, we were third and really doing some good fastest time, so I’m quite confidence because the black beast of this car is the Tarmac. The rest, I’m quite confident that we can do some good with it.”
Considering Hyundai’s pace deficit to Toyota on the Monte, Fourmaux rescued a strong number of points – particularly on Sunday where only Elfyn Evans outscored him.
His only regret was the eight tenths of a second he lost to Sébastien Ogier on the powerstage, which cost him one extra bonus point.
“I’m sure I could’ve gotten those eight tenths, you know?” Fourmaux grimaced. “But you know the road was evolving so much.”
The Frenchman heads to next week’s Rally Sweden 13 points off early championship leader Oliver Solberg, starting the event third on the road in the absence of Ogier who’s one point ahead of him.
Fourmaux’s team-mate Thierry Neuville is seven points further adrift.
“Last year I was second on the road [in Sweden] and still fighting,” Fourmaux pointed out.
“If will all depend on the conditions. If it’s like year [with a solid ice base], starting in front was good. But if it’s a bit more like normal, I would say, with a bit more fresh snow, then for sure starting later, it’s better.”
That scenario might not benefit Fourmaux, but it would help his team.
“EP [Lappi] will be in a good position,” he said.
Words:Luke Barry
Tags: Adrien Fourmaux, WRC, WRC 2026
Publish Date February 3, 2026 DirtFish 
https://dirtfish-editorial.s3-accelerate.amazonaws.com/2026/01/2026montecarlo_vt_150-1-780x1170.jpg February 3, 2026
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