Dani Sordo Roars Back into WRC Action: Can He Conquer the Rally Islas Canarias?
After an agonizing 19-month hiatus from the World Rally Championship's electrifying Rally1 category, Dani Sordo is primed for a sensational comeback! This weekend, the three-time rally winner is set to shake up the competition at the highly anticipated Rally Islas Canarias, marking his first appearance since a nail-biting second-place finish at the 2024 Acropolis Rally Greece with Hyundai.
With his trusty co-driver Candido Carrera by his side, Sordo will take the wheel of the third factory Hyundai i20 N, competing in what is essentially a home turf event for the Spanish rally star. “Honestly, I am really excited to be back in the Rally1 car and with the team at Hyundai. I’m really looking forward to it, and I am also excited to be back at Rally Islas Canarias for only the second time since 2005,” Sordo exclaimed.
But can this veteran driver turn the tide for Hyundai, who faced a humbling defeat on the smooth asphalt of the Canary Islands last year? Last season, the best Hyundai could muster was a mere fifth place from Adrien Fourmaux, highlighting the i20 N Evo's struggles on tarmac. However, the team has been hard at work since then, striving to enhance car performance. Their recent endeavors nearly paid off in Croatia, where a last-stage mishap from Thierry Neuville thwarted their quest for victory—a win that has eluded them since the Central European Rally in 2024.
This season has seen a whirlwind of unpredictability, with three different winners across the first four rounds. In an astonishing twist, Toyota’s Takamoto Katsuta has remarkably risen to the top of the championship standings for the first time in his career, following victories in Croatia and Kenya. The stakes have never been higher, and Sordo's return could add an electrifying chapter to this ongoing drama.
Could the 42-year-old rally sensation reignite his competitive spirit and deliver a show-stopping performance this weekend? The WRC has proven time and again this season that anything can happen. Sordo seems to think so, as he has been gearing up for this comeback by participating in Rallye La Llana on Spanish asphalt earlier this month—a change from his initial training plans due to the cancellation of another event caused by adverse weather.
While the tarmac of mainland Spain differs from the challenging roads of the Canary Islands, Sordo remains optimistic. “My target is to achieve a good set-up with the car and to try to fight for a good result, the podium for sure, but when I start any rally I always target the victory, so why not?” he stated, exuding confidence.
In a thrilling twist, Sordo didn't just sit idly during his break from Rally1 competition. He actively participated in the Portuguese national championship, battling against former WRC champion Kris Meeke in a Hyundai i20 N Rally2 car. Sordo clinched the title by a narrow seven-point margin, proving he’s still got the drive and skill to compete at high levels. “For sure, I have missed the feeling in the car, I’ve missed this and the events,” he said, underscoring his passion for rallying.
As he prepares for the Rally Islas Canarias—his first asphalt rally since 2005—Sordo reminisces about the iconic event. “I don’t remember a lot from Canarias. It’s a mythical rally in the Spanish championship I last did in 2005,” he recalled, acknowledging the unique challenges presented by the weather and terrain.
The 18-stage Rally Islas Canarias is set to kick off on Thursday night, and the rally world is eagerly awaiting to see if Dani Sordo can weave his magic and reclaim glory in the WRC. Will he rise to the occasion and deliver a thrilling performance? Only time will tell, but one thing is for sure: the rally stage is set for an unforgettable showdown!