Veteran rally star Dani Sordo is set to go head-to-head with Kris Meeke in the 2025 Portuguese Rally Championship, marking a major shift in Sordo’s career. The Spanish driver will pilot a Hyundai i20 N Rally2 alongside co-driver Candido Carrera, competing under the Sports & You team banner.
The move comes after Meeke switched to a Toyota for the 2025 season, leaving an open seat in the Hyundai Portugal i20 N Rally2—the very car he drove to clinch last year’s Portuguese Rally Championship title. With Meeke now leading Toyota’s charge, Sordo has stepped in to continue Hyundai’s strong presence in the national series.
A Season-Opening Showdown at Rally Serras de Fafe
Sordo and Meeke will kick off their championship battle at Rally Serras de Fafe on March 7-8, a legendary gravel rally that regularly features on both the Portuguese national calendar and as a testbed for the World Rally Championship (WRC).
Both drivers will compete under the Sports & You banner, ensuring a fascinating intra-team battle between two seasoned competitors who have previously been teammates in the WRC.
End of an Era: Sordo’s First Year Outside WRC in Two Decades?
The 2025 season could mark a major turning point in Sordo’s career. The Spaniard has been a part-time WRC driver for Hyundai since 2018, contributing crucial points in select rallies. However, Hyundai team principal Cyril Abiteboul has hinted at significant changes to the manufacturer’s WRC lineup, leaving Sordo’s future in the world championship uncertain.
While Sordo remains one of the most reliable and experienced drivers in rallying, this move to the Portuguese Rally Championship suggests he may be transitioning away from full-time WRC competition. That said, given his deep ties to Hyundai Motorsport, it wouldn’t be a shock to see him make cameo appearances in the WRC Rally1 category throughout the season.
A Rivalry Rekindled
Sordo and Meeke’s on-track battles date back to their time in WRC, where they raced for multiple manufacturers, including Citroën. Now, with both drivers in Rally2-spec cars but under different manufacturers, the 2025 Portuguese Rally Championship is shaping up to be a thrilling clash of experience, speed, and strategy.
Will Sordo adapt quickly and reclaim the championship for Hyundai, or will Meeke continue his dominance in Portugal with Toyota? We’ll find out when the season kicks off in Fafe next month!
