Ford World Rally Team has finalised an agreement for Dani Sordo and Carlos del Barrio to drive for the squad in next week’s Rally Argentina.
The Spanish duo will replace regular drivers Jari-Matti Latvala and Miikka Anttila in a Ford Fiesta RS World Rally Car. Latvala was forced to withdraw from the fifth round of the FIA World Rally Championship after breaking his left collarbone in a cross-country ski-ing accident while training in northern Finland last week.
“We’re naturally disappointed that Jari-Matti will miss the rally, but ensuring a full recovery as quickly as possible is the most important thing for him and the team,” said Ford World Rally Team director Malcolm Wilson.
“We’re fortunate to have a driver of Dani’s calibre to join us. His experience at Rally Argentina was a key factor in the decision, having started the rally five times and finishing second in 2009. The agreement is for one rally only, and I would like to thank the management of Dani’s current team, who were extremely gracious in helping us in such challenging circumstances,” he said.
Sordo and del Barrio will join regular pairing Petter Solberg and Chris Patterson for the four-day Rally Argentina, which will be based in Carlos Paz on 26 – 29 April.
Doug, that would be like telling TK he can’t do Triathlons anymore. I would bet that with their rigorous workout schedules and to keep from being completely bored to death from hours upon hours in the gym, drivers incorporate some sort of sport into their exercise regimen. Just a couple months ago Matthew Wilson broke his ankle from a simple fall when out jogging.
I like the pick of Sordo as he has a ton of experience and the patience to make sure he will gather manufacturer points for Ford. Interestingly there are rumors of talks between Sordo and Ford for a contract next year. Makes me wonder…what does that mean for Petter Solberg? I doubt Ford would keep two older more experienced drivers on the same manufacturer team (typically one experienced driver plus one up and coming younger driver). I also think Petter has a better than decent shot at a championship this year. If Petter wins it all, will Ford keep him on board? I think they would have to. I’ll admit to being a bit of a Petter fanboy, but really who isn’t? His “never give up” attitude is infectious, and few drivers in ANY motorsport has as many dedicated fans and followers as Petter Solberg.
Other rumor I’ve heard is that JML has been in talks with VW for 2013 as his Ford contract expires at the end of this season. Could VW handle two fast young guns on the same team? One would have to think that Ogier would be considered the #1 driver in that kind of scenario. Would JML be okay being relegated once again to being the support driver? It does appear that is his destiny for 2012 with Petter’s huge lead over him in the points.