Oliveira confirms WRC comeback

Daniel Oliveira will return to the FIA World Rally Championship powered by Nokia in Sweden next month - but not in the MINI John Cooper Works WRC he became synonymous with in 2011.

Oliveira will instead drive a Subaru Impreza as he finalises his programme for the 2012 season.

Stohl Racing, the team owned by WRC podium finisher Manfred Stohl, will run the car, which marks a reunion between the pair after Stohl oversaw Oliveira’s international rallying programme in 2010.

The cockpit of Stohl’s Impreza will also have a familiar feel to it with Carlos Magalhaes returning from injury to co-drive the rising Brazilian star as he makes his Rally Sweden debut. Before the event, Oliveira will conduct a test in Austria when he will sample an Impreza rally car for the first time since 2010.

“I’ll be back in Sweden after a pause and it’s going to be a good time to be in contact with the rally environment once more,” said the 26-year-old Oliveira. “Now we have the chance to compete on board the Subaru Impreza Class 3 and the idea is to experience snow rally driving. We’re planning the year together with Manfred and this is the only confirmed race up to now. We’re working on our budget and our 2012 WRC plan.”