Rally drivers Dani Sordo & Craig Breen will remain with Hyundai Motorsport for the 2021 World Rally Championship, sharing the third car of the team. The news was released on Wednesday by the South Korean team as they announced their line-up for next season. 

Andrea Adamo, team principal for the Asian team, revealed the news:  

“We are pleased to confirm that Dani and Craig will share a third Hyundai i20 Coupe WRC in 2021, alongside our previously announced drivers Thierry and Ott. All four drivers have shown their speed and commitment this year, with victories and podiums to support our title fight. Our crews offer the perfect blend of experience and hunger for our 2021 title hopes – both in the manufacturers’ and drivers’ categories”. 

In this way, the same four-strong team of the previous season will line up for 2021. For the second consecutive year, Tänak and Neuville will form the leading couple taking part in every race in the calendar. Sordo and Breen will also once again be taking turns at the wheel of the third Korean missile. 

Sordo: An expected renewal 

Dani Sordo’s contract extension has not come as a surprise. The Alzenau-based structure has always been very open about Sordo’s continuity. His great results; second consecutive win in Sardinia and third place in ACI Rally Monza, have been essential in the defence of the team title, an invaluable contribution for the Asian team. 

Dani Sordo expressed his satisfaction with the following words:  

“I have said before that Hyundai Motorsport is like a family to me, and that has never been clearer than during 2020. We have had a challenging year, but we have supported each other through it all. I am fortunate to have been part of this team since the very start and we continue to grow each year. Securing my second WRC win with the team in Sardinia – repeating what we achieved in 2019 – was a great example of how we can continue to be successful together. I look forward to more great results in 2021!” 

Despite his age (37 years old), Sordo is enjoying one of the best moments of his career in the WRC. Away from the pressures of a complete program, he is going through a second youth. His consistency and clean performances have guaranteed him one more year in the team where he arrived in 2014. 

Although the race schedule is yet to be confirmed, it is widely expected for Sordo to take part in Monte-Carlo, Portugal, Japan, Chile, Croatia, Sardinia and the RACC Rally in Spain. Sordo remains one of the greatest on asphalt and has also demonstrated to be well in tune with the i20 on gravel. 

Breen: Delighted to remain in Hyundai  

With regards to Breen, rumour has it that he could take the wheel for Sweden, Safari, Estonia, Finland and Wales at the 2021 WRC. It is at these rallies, especially at the first three, that he has proved is expertise, delivering outstanding results right from where he first started driving for Hyundai in mid-2019. 

Like his Spanish colleague, the Irishman is delighted to continue to be part of the best team in the WRC:  

“To have the opportunity to compete on the stages of the World Rally Championship with Hyundai Motorsport has genuinely been a dream come true for me. Although I have joined the team in occasional rallies since 2018, this year we were really able to demonstrate our potential, with second place in Estonia: It gives us something exciting from which we can build. The team has placed its faith in myself and Paul (Nagle) to deliver more of these results in 2021. We’ll give everything we’ve got, starting from Rally Sweden.” 

Images of Dani Sordo: Hyundai Motorsport.