WRC
Hyundai has chosen its 4 Junior drivers
Hyundai does not only invest in the elite through Rally1. For several years, a program dedicated to Juniors has been in place. For 2023, four drivers have been selected with a goal set by the brand: “ The quartet will receive support throughout the coming year, aimed at helping them build their careers, with the ultimate goal of them joining Hyundai Motorsport teams at the highest level. »
Among these Junior crews from Hyundai's customer competition program, two will compete in WRC2 on i20 N Rally2s. The Paraguayan Fabrizio Zaldivar started his 2e year with the official Hyundai team where he plays with Teemu Suninen. The 22-year-old South American ranked 15the WRC2 in Sweden. The other hopeful selected is Irishman Josh McErlean. At 23, he is also a repeater since he appears in this program for the 3e season and 2e in WRC2.
Irishman Josh McErlean will compete in his second season in WRC2 within the Hyundai Junior program (Photo: Hyundai)
Within the national championships, Charles Munster (21 years old) will receive support from Hyundai for his double campaign in Belgium and on gravel in France. For his part, the Spaniard Oscar Palomo (20 years old) will discover driving a Rally2. Sacred in Rally4 in ERC last year with a 208, he will compete in the Superchampionship of his country.
Belgian Charles Munster will have a double program this year in Belgium and France on gravel (Photo: Hyundai)
Each of those selected will have the opportunity to test with Hyundai Motorsport, which will allow them to work directly with the brand's engineers and gain experience.
« Encouraging and supporting young drivers is an important part of our job in the customer competition department, explains Andrea Cisotti, director of this branch based in Alzenau at Hyundai Motorsport. It’s a win-win situation. We are able to help talents build their careers in motorsport and thanks to our support, they are able to show the best possible performance of cars manufactured by Hyundai Motorsport. The prospects we have selected for the 2023 Junior Driver program have all shown great dynamism in previous seasons, and I am sure they will all have a successful year. »
Loïc ROCCI
Journalist specializing in rallying past, present and future... and with a southern accent
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