Dani Sordo falls off the Rally Sweden entry list

This is exactly why every major WRC team must have plenty of drivers on board – you simply never know what is going to happen to any of them. If I say that drivers are like tyres, does that sound wrong? No? Splendid. So, drivers are like tyres, if one goes out of order, you must reach for spares. Now, before I start receiving angry remarks, I will retreat to starting position and use “test” instead of “spare”, so when one driver is unable to compete in an upcoming event, you will simply promote test drivers to do the job. After all, this is exactly what they’re meant to do – test, develop and be ready to jump in if team asks them to. Situations such as this can never be predicted, but they can be expected because accidents and incidents happen to all of us. After Dani Sordo informed Hyundai of his injuries, sustained in a cycling accident, team quickly regrouped and updated their drivers line-up for the upcoming Rally Sweden.

Instead of Sordo, Hayden Paddon will take over the reins of #8 i20 WRC, while Kevin Abbring will jump into Paddon’s #20 car, competing for Hyundai Mobis WR Team.

Team Principal Michel Nandan said: “First of all we would like to send our best wishes to Dani for a quick recovery and we look forward to seeing him back in the car. We have decided that it’s best for Dani to miss Sweden in order for him to recover and to be 100% fit for Rally Mexico next month. Hayden will take over in the #8 car in Sweden driving for the Hyundai Shell World Rally Team alongside Thierry. We have also opted to run Kevin in the #20 car so we can continue with our three car approach to this second rally of the 2015 season.”

WRB wishes you a speedy recovery, Dani.