MINI’s Kris Meeke says Dani Sordo would be a welcome addition to the team when it makes its debut in next year’s World Rally Championship.
Sordo, from Spain, has tested MINI’s Countryman WRC with a view to driving for the UK-based squad next season. Although Sordo’s plans for 2011 have yet to be finalised, MINI is one of the 27-year-old’s main options after his contract with the factory Citroen team expired.
Meeke, who will lead MINI’s assault on the WRC under a three-year deal, is a former team-mate of Sordo’s. The two were rivals of the Junior World Rally Championship in 2005, a title Sordo eventually won following a close battle.
“There are not many guys around with the experience that Dani has and you have to remember what Dani has done in the last five years,” said Meeke. “Okay, he’s not won a rally but he’s scored 28 podiums and got 17 second places. You have to admire him for the job he has done as Sebastien Loeb’s number two. He’s also done a lot of testing of the DS3 WRC and that means he will bring a lot of knowledge and expertise to the team. This could be a fresh start for him when we’ll see what he’s really capable of.”
Meeke, who was also testing in Sardinia along with Sordo, says the two have remained good friends over the years even though they have seldom competed against one another.
“Yes, we’ve had some battles and they’ve been hard fought,” said Meeke. “He won the Junior title but I gave him a good run for it. We’ve always had a relationship and it would be a pleasure to work with him again. It would be very good.”
Sordo, who was classified fifth in this season’s world championship, has tested the Countryman WRC on asphalt and gravel.
He said: “I want to be in the WRC and the MINI could be a good option for me. The car felt good when I tested, not bad for the start.”