Now, Lancia has recruited rally legend Miki Biasion who has been hired to support young drivers. The 66-year-old Italian, who himself drove for Lancia for many years, will bring his experience and expertise to the team’s future drivers.
“I’m highly honoured to be able to support the Lancia product team in the adjustment of the set-up and handling of the Ypsilon HF, offering genuine sporty driving pleasure to its drivers,” Biasion said on the European Rally Championship’s website.
“I’m also delighted to work with the Stellantis Motorsport team on refining the performance of the Ypsilon Rally4 HF: set-up, braking and engine calibration. I hope I can inspire all the young drivers making their way with our Lancia Ypsilon Rally4 HF, towards becoming the professionals and champions of the future.”
Biasion won the European Rally Championship in 1983 during his first season with Lancia. In 1988-89, Biasion celebrated two World Championship titles at the wheel of a Lancia.
”The Lancia of victories and races is back, and I’m more than glad to be part of that.”
Lancia’s brand CEO, Luca Napolitano, is also thrilled about Biasion’s “return” to Lancia.
”The natural spokesperson for this dual comeback could only be Miki Biasion, the most successful Italian rally driver of all time, who contributed to making Lancia the brand that won more than any other in the sport’s history.”
”His many years of experience with the Lancia Corse team will be fundamental to the development of the car. It is the beginning of a new chapter in the history of the brand’s renaissance, characterised by ambition, pragmatism and humility, fully in line with the brand’s DNA.”
Lancia’s new Ypsilon Rally4 HF is set to be unveiled next year, alongside the road version.