Sordo claimed the make’s maiden podium finish on its third outing in the series while Meeke was rapid until a mechanical failure caused him to drop out in the closing stages.
“Dani and Kris have proven that the MINI is very competitive on Tarmac,” said Richards. “Just like in Germany we will be going to France to show the performance of the car and aiming for both drivers to finish in strong positions. Whether we can repeat the podium in Trier remains to be seen, but certainly Dani likes the event. However, Kris is new to the stages, but I am confident he will soon be on the pace as he was in Germany.”
Meeke, who used the recent Rallyday demonstration event in the United Kingdom to gain more running on asphalt in the MINI John Cooper Works WRC, said: “I didn’t start this rally in 2010, which practically makes this a completely new rally for me. However, I have completed a lot of testing in this region in the past, so I know roughly what to expect. The rally is a bit similar to its German counterpart, particularly the sections through the vineyards and on the gravel roads. It is technically very demanding and you cannot afford to lose concentration for a second.”
Sordo finished second in France last season when he formed part of the factory Citroen squad. He said: “The surface in France changes frequently, which makes the rally technically demanding. The route is very hilly, particularly in the forest sections. The weather decides how you can drive. Last year it rained heavily, which made the surface very slippery. Personally, I really like driving there, as you have to be both very focused and flexible with regard to the weather conditions.”
MINI prepared for Rallye de France with a one-day test in the country last weekend.
WRC.com