Live: Hyundai Motorsport at the 2016 Monza Rally Show
Monza, the Temple of Speed, is the perfect place for the launch of Hyundai Motorsport’s latest WRC car, which the team will use to contest the 2017 FIA World Rally Championship.
We’re LIVE from Autodromo Nazionale Monza for the 2016 Monza Rally Show. Check back throughout the day for exclusive images and the unveiling of Hyundai Motorsport’s latest WRC car from 11:00 CEST.
15:15 p.m.
Finally, here's Team Principal Michel Nandan on some of the challenges the team faced in the development of the new car, and Hyundai Motorsport's prospects for the 2017 season.
"The biggest challenge for us was to work on the aerodynamics. It's not like a standard car, you have to think about the different conditions and surfaces, you cannot be too extreme. Also, you can't transform the car completely."
And Nandan continued: "We have a good lineup of drivers [for the 2017 WRC season]. We have two that are really good on tarmac and gravel. Maybe Thierry is a bit more skilled on gravel than Dani, but we have seen that Dani has been improving over the past two seasons. Hayden is good on tarmac, he has been on the pace. I won't bet on anyone!"
14:45 p.m.
Next up, here's Dani Sordo discussing what he likes about the new car and why he thinks teammate Hayden Paddon could be a future FIA champion.
Sordo said: "The most important difference is the engine, we have more torque and more power. The base of the car looks different to last year and it's a little bit lower."
"2017 will be a good year, because the Hyundai lineup for the constructor's and driver's championship is strong. I always try to do my best, to help the team and develop the car, which I think is important. Maybe I have a bit more experience than some of the other drivers. I like to work with the car from the beginning and to get the car working well. We have Thierry and Hayden, and they are both very fast, so I think we have a good car and good drivers for 2017."
"For me, Hayden will be a future world champion. He's very fast, concentrates and working really hard - a proper professional. I would one day like to see Hayden win the championship because he has worked a lot for it."
"2017 will be a good year, because the Hyundai lineup for the constructor's and driver's championship is strong. I always try to do my best, to help the team and develop the car, which I think is important. Maybe I have a bit more experience than some of the other drivers. I like to work with the car from the beginning and to get the car working well. We have Thierry and Hayden, and they are both very fast, so I think we have a good car and good drivers for 2017."
"For me, Hayden will be a future world champion. He's very fast, concentrates and working really hard - a proper professional. I would one day like to see Hayden win the championship because he has worked a lot for it."
14:30 p.m.
We've spoken to some members of the Hyundai Motorsport team about the new 2017 WRC car and their hopes for the upcoming season. First up, here's Thierry Neuville.
The new car is definitely quicker, more fun, more spectacular… The rules have changed so everything is better: the brakes are better, the dynamics are better, the ability of the car is better, the engine is much better. For me, the most impressive thing is the aerodynamics, which will make a huge difference.
Neuville continued “In the team there are no leaders, we are all the same and everybody has the chance to do as well as they can. It’s true that in the last three years I ended up as the top Hyundai driver in the championship, but the differences are small. It’s all about work and experience to be competitive and next year the cars are new. I feel pretty comfortable in my situation because I know I can go fast on gravel and snow and on tarmac, but everybody can progress and I still have to continue and progress as well if I want to keep my position in the team.”
11:30 a.m.
And here it is!
11:00 a.m.
Molly Pettit from WRC TV is on stage to get proceedings underway. The international press eagerly watches on as we await the unveiling of the 2017 Hyundai Motorsport WRC car.
President Choi has taken to the stage to review the successful 2016 WRC season. He says that Hyundai Motorsport aim to challenge for the FIA World Rally Championship title in 2017.
Team Principal Michel Nandan praises the Hyundai Motorsport team for landing on the podium in 10 of the 13 WRC events last season, including two double podiums.
"We are delighted that our driver line-up remains unchanged for 2017". Michel invites the Hyundai Motorsport driving team onto the stage to unveil the 2017 WRC car!
10:00 a.m.
The Monza Rally Show is one of the highlights of the auto industry calendar. This annual event began in 1978, and attracted 55,000 spectators in 2015. Past editions have seen racing royalty such as Valentino Rossi, Lewis Hamilton and Colin McRae wow crowds, and this year’s show takes place from 2-4 December, with a number of different races scheduled. It’s already bustling with journalists and automotive experts here, as they make their way around the circuit to view the various exhibits.
In a little while, the 2017 Hyundai Motorsport WRC car will be unveiled to the world’s press. To whet your appetite, here’s what Team Principal Michel Nandan had to say about it:
“Monza is the ideal location to launch our latest WRC car. New regulations for 2017 mean wider, more powerful cars, and we’re sure next season will be an entertaining one."
"Although the main launch will be a static media event, we also want to give the passionate fans who attend the show something to cheer. Not only will our 2017 car remain on display throughout the event for fans to see, but we’ll also be participating in the show with one of our New Generation i20 WRC cars. All in all, it’s going to be a weekend to remember - and another important chapter for our maturing team.”
Be sure to come back at 11:00 CET for the unveiling of the 2017 Hyundai Motorsport WRC car.
Contacts
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Florian Büngener
Head of Department PR & Communications
fbuengener@hyundai-europe.com LinkedIn ProfileAdriana Cerami
Head of Section Corporate & Brand PR
acerami@hyundai-europe.comKatharina Kupper
Hyundai Newsroom Lead
kkupper@hyundai-europe.comAnja Wente
Product PR & Communications Expert
awente@hyundai-europe.comElvira Herrera
Corporate Communications Expert
eherrera@hyundai-europe.comÁngel Pino Pérez
Product Communications Professional
apinoperez@hyundai-europe.comMaria Bricio
Corporate & Brand Communications Expert
