Hugo Lopes returns to Rali da Madeira, “a race that was not part of our programme but, through Hyundai and Sports&You, the opportunity arose to participate, which is very good for my mission to evolve as much as possible in these four-wheel drive vehicles. This is a race that has gone well for us and in which I won in the categories I was involved in. I am not focused on any specific result, but I would like to be among the top continental drivers. The key, however, is to gain experience for next year in a full season. This is one of the most difficult rallies, due to its length, difficulty and competition with opponents who have a very good knowledge of the terrain”.

Lopes is 28 years old and took his first steps in rallying in 2015. He has competed over the years with various two-wheel drive cars and was national junior champion in 2023 and 2024, the year in which he also won the FIA European Rally Trophy junior competition and the Peugeot Rally Cup Portugal. In 2025, he will defend Hyundai's official colours with an i20N rally2 through the Junior Team programme of the Portuguese Automobile and Karting Federation.