Hyundai World Rally Championship driver Dani Sordo is a bit of a bike guy, so it is little wonder the two-time rally winner relished the opportunity to mentor some of MotoGP’s biggest stars during a unique promotional event.
Organized by mutual sponsor Withu and taking place at the famous “Il Ciocco” in Tuscany – home to a round of the Italian Rally Championship – the event featured MotoGP riders Franco Morbidelli and Fabio Quartararo, who swapped their two-wheel Yamahas for four wheels as they took turns at driving and co-driving a Hyundai i20 R5 with Team Italia driver Umberto Scandola.
The pair then jumped into an i20 Coupe WRC alongside Sordo on the six-kilometer (3.72-mile) asphalt stage.
“This has been a lot of fun,” said Sordo.
“I am a big fan of two-wheeled sport, so to see our worlds come together on such an activation is fantastic to see.
“It has been a pleasure to be back in the driving seat of our Hyundai i20 Coupe WRC, even if only on a short stage, and to share the experience with the riders.
“I know Fabio quite well, we both live in Andorra and occasionally train together; all the riders got involved in the day and seemed to enjoy themselves! I have a big respect for what they do on two wheels, so it was good to share a rally experience with them.”
Quartararo added: “It was a really nice experience, first of all to drive the Hyundai i20 R5 car. Unfortunately, [it] was only for two laps, but driving a rally car was very special.
“The co-driving experience both on the R5 and the Hyundai i20 Coupe WRC car was so nice and incredible. I think it was one of the nicest experiences I ever had.”
Hyundai Motorsport Team Principal Andrea Adamo said that the event had given the team a morale boost.
“It was nice to be in Italy, taking part in an event with a motorsport atmosphere between two different worlds, WRC and MotoGP. After the situation we’ve all faced, it has been appreciated to create something with a good mood and to let everyone back to a bit of normality.”
Also taking part in the event were Moto2 riders Marco Bezzecchi and Luca Marini as well as MotoGP competitors Andrea Migno and Celestino Vietti.
