MINI team chief David Richards says the dust that descended on the all-gravel Pesells stage this morning has effectively cost his Spanish driver Dani Sordo a shot at victory on RallyRACC-Rally de Espana.
Sordo completed the run 43.2s slower than stage winner Sebastien Loeb. His team-mate Kris Meeke, who checked in one-minute late at the stage start in order to create a four-minute gap to the car in front, was 25.7s slower than Loeb.
“Frustrating is the way to put it,” said Richards. “For poor old Dani it’s somewhat taken the wind out of his sails. When that happens to a driver it’s hard to get him motivated again and it’s unfortunate for the event as well.”
Sordo reached midday service in Salou in fifth position overall 57.4s adrift of top spot. “A podium is still in our sights but realistically he now has to get in front of Hirvonen and we have to see what happens at the front.”
Of Meeke’s performance this morning, Richards added: “Kris has done a very solid performance and it’s hopefully taken the pressure off that he’s been putting on himself.”
Meeke is in sixth position after three stages 1m24.6s off the lead after losing a few seconds with a spin on stage two.