Sordo remaining calm ahead of homecoming

Spaniard Dani Sordo plans to keep his feet firmly on the ground when he contests his home round of the World Rally Championship from 20-23 October.

The MINI WRC Team driver is a hot commodity after claiming successive podium finishes in Germany and France on the back of hugely impressive performances in his John Cooper Works WRC.

Despite coming close to winning the Strasbourg event, Sordo is refusing to get carried away by his recent run of form.

“For Spain it will be good,” said the former Junior world champion, who is co-driven by countryman Carlos del Barrio. “We tried to finish in the top five in Germany and we finished third. Maybe on the next rally we could be fighting for the podium in France. We will try of course to win in Spain but have to say ‘slow down’ because we saw in France how close it can be. For sure we can take advantage on the gravel during the first day because the road will be cleaning for me but we have to see.”

Sordo’s reluctance to think big in Spain is driven by an acceptance that improvements still need to be made to his MINI.

“We need to do some better things in the engine and the gearbox but the chassis is fantastic for the confidence for going maximum attack on the stages,” said Sordo. “In the corners the feeling of the driving is very good.”