WRC: Dani Sordo gets expanded Hyundai deal

Hyundai has re-signed Dani Sordo for an expanded World Rally Championship program in 2015 and '16. The 31-year-old Spaniard's exact campaign for next year has not been confirmed but he will tackle at least 10 rallies, most likely the European rounds, before contesting the full 2016 campaign.

Sordo, who has run six WRC rounds with Hyundai this year, will partner the Korean team's number one driver Thierry Neuville.

"I am delighted to be continuing my partnership with Hyundai Motorsport following a very successful debut season working together," said Sordo. "We have shown great promise with the Hyundai i20 WRC this year and we will never forget the 1-2 result at Rallye Deutschland, which was a truly special moment.

"It is a great team of dedicated, passionate individuals and I look forward to continuing our learning curve in the competitive world of rallying."

Neuville, who is already committed to a long-term Hyundai deal, has been the team's only full-time driver in 2014, with Sordo, Juho Hanninen, Hayden Paddon, Chris Atkinson and Bryan Bouffier all making appearances in the second and third i20s. Team boss Michel Nandan said Sordo had clearly earned the chance to be a bigger part of Hyundai's program.

"Dani has demonstrated impressive consistency this season on different types of terrain," said Nandan. "He has shown himself to be quick in different circumstances, in the face of challenges and, most importantly, to be a valued team player.

"Our driver lineup for next season is very strong and we have seen the results of the partnership between Dani and Thierry already this year in Germany, where we celebrated our fantastic 1-2. Let's hope this is the start of similar celebrations in the future."

Sordo is a veteran of 116 rounds of the World Championship and took his only victory for Citroen in Germany in 2013.

Originally on Autosport.com