Bruno Magalhaes says changing co-drivers ahead of the 2011 Intercontinental Rally Challenge won’t affect his chances of a successful campaign next season.
The 30-year-old from Portugal contested eight rounds of the IRC alongside Carlos Magalhaes in 2010, winning Sata Rallye Acores in the process.
However, with Carlos Magalhaes forming a partnership with IRC regular Daniel Oliveira, Bruno Magalhaes has recruited Paulo Grave to navigate him in 2011, starting with the centenary edition of Rallye Monte-Carlo in January.
"Paulo was my co-driver from 2002 until 2007 when he stopped rallying," said Magalhaes, who will continue to drive a Peugeot Sport Portugal 207 Super 2000 next year. "I know him perfectly so the change will not be a problem. Carlos is a great friend of mine and for his career this change can be better and for me I will still have a good co-driver."
Magalhaes finished fifth in the final IRC drivers’ standings in 2010 after scoring points on the first seven events of the year.