Hyundai WRC programme in cash crisis

Hyundai was supposed to have replaced its sponsorship deal with Castrol, which ended last year, with support from petroleum giant Shell, however the package is thought to have run into difficulties back at the firms headquarters in Korea. Thus the Accents used by Freddy Loix and Armin Schwarz ran without significant backing in Monte Carlo.

Team personnel on the event was also siginificantly reduced and there are concerns that should the situtaion not be resolved then the team may be unable to continue.

"We don't want to miss Sweden," said a team source, "but it's a real possibility unless funds arrive."

Both drivers were unhappy with the situation and the fact that as of now there is no confirmed test programme for the team. "Right now we have a rally programme, but no testing planned for the whole year," said Schwarz.

"This is a crazy situation. The Koreans seem to think that we can do this event without the test. They are wrong. Okay we finished in the points, but the car has potential and we could have done so much better. It's very disappointing and at times the car was dangerous."