Hyundai has appointed a new Team Principal to its World Rally Championship outfit following news that Michel Nandan has left the role.
Nandan led the South Korean manufacturer's return to the WRC in 2013, collecting ten victories in the process with the team finishing runner-up in the manufacturers' standings for the past three years in a row.
His departure is believed to be driven by Hyundai's board which is desperate to win the championship.
"We have announced a change to our senior management for the forthcoming 2019 FIA World Rally Championship (WRC) season, with Team Principal Michel Nandan departing the company after six years," read a statement.
"Michel joined the newly established Hyundai Motorsport GmbH in January 2013 as we began our involvement in the WRC. We extend our sincerest thanks to Michel for his significant contribution to the team’s growth and development over the past six years, and we wish him all the best for the future."
The Frenchman will be replaced by Customer Racing Manager Andrea Adamo with immediate effect. The Italian will continue his existing duties with the i20 R5 and i30 N TCR programs.
Hyundai will field an unchanged driver line-up of Thierry Neuville and Andreas Mikkelsen in 2019, with six guest appearances planned for Sebastien Loeb, whilst Dani Sordo is expected to fill the third car for the remaining events.
