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Hyundai WRC drivers Neuville, Mikkelsen to share i20 on Monza Rally

World Rally Championship drivers Thierry Neuville and Andreas Mikkelsen will share driving and co-driving duties in a Hyundai i20 WRC at the Monza Rally next month.

Neuville and Mikkelsen will swap seats in a 2016-spec New Generation i20 between stages on the December 1-3 event.

Both are well acquainted with the left-hand seat in a Hyundai, but the rally will be the first time either have co-driven competitively.

Hyundai is a long-time supporter of the event at the home of the Italian Grand Prix, and launched its 2017 i20 Coupe WRC at the rally last season.

Neuville said he has been keen to return to the Monza event since making his debut two years ago.

"After taking part in 2015 and finishing second behind Valentino Rossi, I could not wait to go back," said the Belgian.

"I really enjoyed it then and I'm sure sharing a car with Andreas this time will be even more amusing!

"The audience is extraordinary in Monza and it is always a pleasure to drive with so much support from the fans."

Mikkelsen will make his Monza bow next month, and he and Neuville will have to be on their guard with the stages around the circuit containing tricky sections with merging junctions.

Norwegian Mikkelsen is, however, focused on the fun factor of the event.

"I'm sure we will have a lot of fun," he said. "It will be my first time in Monza but I have heard a lot about the event and its passionate fans.

"We will do our best to entertain the spectators."

The Hyundai pair will face competition from the likes of MotoGP legend Rossi - the Monza Rally's most successful competitor - who heads the entry list.

The all-asphalt, nine-stage event starts on Friday December 1.

Zdroj: autosport.com