The Spanish veteran has spent several years as a part-time driver for Hyundai’s WRC team in the World Rally Championship. In fact, it’s been seven years since he last completed a full season – or nearly full, missing just one rally.
This year, Sordo has shared driving duties in Hyundai’s third car with Esapekka Lappi and Andreas Mikkelsen. Despite competing only occasionally, his skills have remained as sharp as ever.
In the three WRC rallies he competed in this year, Sordo delivered consistent performances. He finished fifth in Portugal, third in Sardinia, and an impressive second in his most recent event, the Acropolis Rally in Greece.
After the Greek rally, Sordo has no more WRC events scheduled for the remainder of the year.
“This season, for sure, this is the last one. Now it’s Lappi’s and Mikkelsen’s turn, and I’m sure they can do good job,” Sordo told RallyJournal.com.
It’s possible that the Acropolis Rally could be Sordo’s last WRC event of his active career. Hyundai has not yet confirmed who will drive their third Rally1 car next year.
There’s a chance Hyundai might opt for a full-time driver in the third car, which would effectively rule out Sordo, as he is no longer seeking a full-season role.
When asked about his plans for next year, Sordo’s response was brief.
“I don’t know.”
Then he switched to a more humorous tone.
“Maybe I could go to Finnish Championship. It would be nice with BMW!”
After the Acropolis Rally, Sordo’s plans were clear, though. His racing gloves are being traded in for gardening gloves.
“I’ll be at home, working in the garden.”
Among Hyundai’s drivers, Esapekka Lappi will take the wheel of the third car in next week’s Rally Chile. Norwegian Andreas Mikkelsen is expected to drive in the season’s final tarmac events in Central Europe and Japan.
