The Spaniard will take over the i20N from Teemu Suninen, who is ready to drive this month’s Central European Rally after competing final weekend’s Rally Chile, the place he retired on the penultimate stage.
Sordo had hinted after ending third at Acropolis Rally in Greece final month that his subsequent outing could be the WRC’s last spherical on asphalt in Japan from 16-19 November.
The 40-year-old contested final 12 months’s go to to Japan which led to his i20 N bursting into flames throughout the rally’s opening stage.
Sordo’s WRC future past Rally Japan stays unclear following Wednesday’s affirmation that Hyundai has signed Ott Tanak to join the already contracted Thierry Neuville for subsequent season.
Hyundai is but to speak any additional info on its plan for subsequent 12 months, however has said that it’s nonetheless contemplating the prospect of increasing to run 4 i20 N Rally1s.
Ought to Hyundai approve a transfer so as to add a Rally1 automobile to its fleet, then it’s prone to be piloted by a younger aspiring driver.
Dani Sordo, Hyundai World Rally Workforce
Photograph by: Vincent Thuillier / Hyundai Motorsport
Esapekka Lappi and Teemu Suninen are additionally presently on the staff’s books, with the latter introduced as a part of its newly launched driver growth programme earlier this 12 months.
As for Sordo’s future, that’s nonetheless up within the air however he has been consulted concerning the staff’s future plans, in line with Hyundai staff principal Cyril Abiteboul.
Abiteboul has steered the staff might even help if Sordo decides to go for a transfer outdoors of competing behind the wheel.
“Frankly they [our current drivers] are effectively conscious [of the team’s plans] as a result of my type is pretty open with the staff. Dani has even been a part of the method and the discussions we have now been planning over the course of the summer time,” Abiteboul informed Autosport.
“I believe we have to talk about when the state of affairs for subsequent 12 months is a bit clearer, [if we run] three automobiles or 4 automobiles.
“I believe Dani is at level the place he must suppose what’s past driving for him. It’s one thing that we could have a task to play in suggesting some choices, however it’s as much as him to determine if it’s the proper second, or whether it is too early.”