MINI retires factory cars in Finland

The MINI WRC Team has retired its John Cooper Works WRCs from Neste Oil Rally Finland.

Kris Meeke went no further than stage 19 while Dani Sordo was withdrawn after stage 21 following the onset of a technical problem.

A spokesperson for the Prodrive-run squad said: “Kris had problems after his puncture with a lot of sand getting into his radiator and overheating. The crew tried to clear it but the decision was taken not to risk further damage, as we would not learn anything [by continuing]. Dani was going so slowly that there was no point doing the Power Stage. He is coming back to service under his own steam.”

Both drivers had impressed throughout the high-speed gravel event, even though Meeke conceded that his lack of knowledge of the stages was masking his true potential.

Sordo, who was in seventh position overall when he stopped, had set a succession of top five stage times.