Hyundai drivers relieved asphalt WRC season is over after “no comparison with Toyota”

Hyundai's drivers openly admitting relief that the asphalt portion of the season is finished is a telling sign of how deep the car's tarmac deficit runs — this isn't post-race frustration, it's a structural problem they couldn't solve across multiple events. The operating window issue with the i20 N on asphalt isn't new, but Toyota's step forward with the GR Yaris has widened the gap rather than narrowed it, which makes Hyundai's situation more urgent heading into development planning. For a manufacturer that has won WRC titles, publicly conceding there's 'no comparison' with a rival is significant — it signals the team knows the gap is real and isn't trying to spin it. The gravel rounds may offer Hyundai more competitive footing, but the asphalt weakness is a problem they'll need to address at a fundamental level if they want to fight for championships.