Sandell tipped for more WRC progress

Patrik Sandell’s final-day exit on Vodafone Rally de Portugal last month will make him a better driver.

That’s the view of Prodrive WRC Team principal Dave Wilcock, who believes the former Junior world champion will learn from his mishap on the Algarve-based rally when he returns to the FIA World Rally Championship powered by Nokia later this season.

“Patrik was doing tremendously well to run as high as fourth and it was bitterly disappointing for him to have to retire on day three,” said Wilcock. “Still he continues to mature and the experience will do him no end of good as he continues his development as a WRC driver.”

Sandell is contesting selected rounds of the world championship this season in a MINI John Cooper Works WRC. His next appearance in the series remains unconfirmed although he is working on plans to tackle at least five more events with backing from the Sweden World Rally Team initiative.

“I have got more and more confident in the car and my pace has been good all weekend, particularly on Saturday and this morning,” Sandell commented in Portugal. “Having seen the speed of Dani [Sordo] in the new car, I cannot wait to try it for myself.”