Dani Sordo has returned strongly to the World Rally Championship (WRC), leading the shakedown of the Rally de Portugal on Thursday morning, surpassing his teammates Ott Tänak and Thierry Neuville. Sordo, on his return after almost six months, demonstrated his skill and experience at the wheel of the Hyundai i20 N, beating Tänak by just 0.1 seconds and Neuville by 0.9 seconds.
Despite the strong initial performance, Sordo faces the challenge of staying on top during the rally, especially with added pressure from drivers like Sébastien Ogier and young promise Adrien Fourmaux, who also showed competitive times in the shakedown.
World champion Kalle Rovanperä had a difficult start, being forced to retire early due to technical issues with his Toyota GR Yaris, leaving him at a disadvantage for the rest of the event.
In interviews, Sordo has expressed his enthusiasm for competing in Portugal, highlighting the importance of accumulating points for Hyundai in this crucial event. The Rally de Portugal, known for its demanding track conditions, will be a true test for all teams and drivers. Furthermore, race strategy and tire management will play a crucial role, especially on the more technical stages that require precise and careful driving to avoid punctures.
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