Sordo : MINI can be a strong contender in 2012

MINI WRC Team ace Dani Sordo believes it won’t take much to make his employer’s John Cooper Works World Rally Car a winner in 2012.

Sordo impressed with a brace of podium finishes for MINI during a six-round campaign with the Prodrive-run squad this season, while team-mate Kris Meeke bagged the Power Stage win on RallyRACC-Rally de Espana in October and challenged for a podium finish on the season-closing Wales Rally GB.

“I’m really happy with this season with the MINI,” Sordo told Wrc.com. “We start again from zero next year and I know that we will start better. I’m really excited for next year because the team will continue to work, to do things very well like they do now. More money to develop the car is very important now and with a little more [changes] and more kilometres we can be really close.”

Sordo, from Spain, was eighth in the final WRC drivers’ standings. He said his highlight during MINI’s inaugural world championship campaign was the second place he achieved on Rallye de France Alsace.

“France was great, as we were in contention for the overall victory, that is always fun,” said Sordo, who will continue to be co-driven by Carlos del Barrio next season.