Team MRF Tyres finished second in the Azores Rallye Round 5 of the 2021 European Rally Championship. World Rally Championship (WRC) driver Dani Sordo joined the Indian manufacturer for this round, driving a Hyundai i20 R5 to the podium result.
- MRF finished just 14.8 seconds behind the winners
- Secures second podium finish of the season
Dani Sordo joins MRF Tyres
Spanish Rally racer and multiple-time WRC rally winner Dani Sordo was recruited to race for MRF Tyres at the Azores Rallye in Portugal alongside co-driver Cándido Carrera.
At one point, the duo were at the lead, but it was a tight battle throughout. After the first day of action, the top three contenders were separated by just 4.5 seconds.
Saturday’s running saw seven stages and 88km of timed action. Sordo won Special Stages 8 and 9, the latter being the legendary 24km Sete Cidades test around the volcano.
MRF opted for an aggressive strategy while keeping an eye on its overarching tyre development goals.
Second place finish for MRF
Sordo and Carrera locked in a close battle with Toksport WRT’s Andreas Mikkelsen and Elliott Edmondson in the final three stages. MRF ultimately had to settle for second place, just 14.8 secs behind Mikkelsen.
“The second place finish is a great result. We did very well to lead the rally, and take three stage wins throughout the weekend," said Sordo. We beat our expectations and I am happy with this second place. Azores is an amazing rally with amazing stages. To win a legendary stage Sete Cidades was great for me and MRF Tyres.”
The European Rally Championship will continue in Portugal, with the Rally Serras de Fafe e Felgueiras slated for October 1-3. This will be the last gravel rally of the season. MRF will also be gunning for victory in the Finnish Rally Championship this weekend, with drivers Emil Lindholm and Reeta Hämäläinen.
Also see:
MRF takes maiden European Rally Championship podium at Rally Liepaja