Former VW, Williams technical director Demaison joins Hyundai

Former VW, Williams technical director Demaison joins Hyundai

Hyundai Motorsport has appointed François-Xavier (FX) Demaison as its Technical Director.

Demaison was Volkswagen Motorsport’s technical director from 2013 to 2016 when the German team won both WRC titles (drivers’ and manufacturers’) consecutively for four years with the Volkswagen Polo R WRC. (Text continues after image.)

Former VW, Williams technical director Demaison joins Hyundai

The Frenchman then joined his former VW Motorsport boss Jost Capito to become the technical director of Williams F1, before leaving the job at the end of last year.

Today Hyundai announces it has added Demaison to its senior leadership structure to become technical director. “In his new role, FX will liaise with the relevant R&D groups within Hyundai Motor Company worldwide as he assumes management responsibility of the vehicle and powertrain departments for the technical fulfilment of our various motorsport programmes,” Hyundai’s statement reads.

Demaison will work alongside Christian Loriaux, who becomes the team’s WRC Programme Manager “to develop and enhance the competitiveness of our WRC challenger, the i20 N Rally1 Hybrid.”

Abiteboul: “He knows what it takes to not only win, but also dominate in motorsport.”

Hyundai Motorsport Team Principal Cyril Abiteboul said: “He knows what it takes to not only win, but also dominate in motorsport, and it is that experience that we need to channel our efforts and win championship titles in the years to come.”

Demaison said: “I am tremendously excited to start this new role with Hyundai Motorsport,” said FX. “I relish this challenge and look forward to working with the personnel who have already achieved great things in WRC and their customer racing programmes.”

Photos: Hyundai Motorsport, Red Bull Content Pool