That said, the World Rally Championship season finale in Sardinia is bringing a wild shake-up to the service park, as Motorsport.com reports. Dani Sordo has opened up about a surprise co-driver change that sees 27-year-old navigator Patricia Saiz make her WRC debut in the top tier.
The three-time WRC rally winner is locked in to pilot the third factory Hyundai i20 N Rally1 entry for the gravel event, stepping into the stage with Saiz taking over note-calling duties from Candido Carrera. Carrera had held the role since 2021. While this marks a massive leap to the global stage, Saiz is hardly a stranger to the machine or the driver. The pair tackled selected national rallies together last year, including Belgium's Ypres Rally where they claimed fourth overall alongside an RGT class victory.
And here I am, about to compete in one of the most demanding tests in the world, forming part of an official team and alongside one of the best riders in the world and a top reference for me,
"I did some rallies with Patricia before and she was really good. She’s so clear in the pacenotes, which can help me to be more concentrated and focused in the car. I’m sad Candido is not there but we are still in touch and have a good relationship," Sordo explained regarding the shift.
The venue holds deeply positive memories for the Spaniard, who previously took victories there for Hyundai in 2019 and 2020. "I don’t have any secrets, honestly. It’s a rally that I like," Sordo said. "The roads are quite technical and narrow, and I always seem to do well. I have two victories and really good memories. Sardinia gives me special energy and I hope for the same this year."
Stakes are high for this final round, which also marks the curtain call for the current generation of machinery. "The only target we have is to try to win or to be on the podium at least. It will be the last round of the championship and also the last round for the Rally1 cars. Honestly, it’s so sad to see the end of the Rally1 era which brought Hyundai Motorsport lots of success," Sordo added. Following the event in Sardinia, the duo will also team up in the i20 N Rally1 for the Rally Legend event in San Marino next weekend.
For Saiz, stepping into the official team alongside a veteran is simply the realization of a lifelong ambition. "For those of us who feel passion and ambition for this sport, competing at a global level is the ultimate dream," Saiz shared on social media. "It may seem like something far away, but that passion so strong that we carry inside makes us keep fighting and striving for it. Until one day you see that all that sacrifice was worth it and that dream comes true."
"And here I am, about to compete in one of the most demanding tests in the world, forming part of an official team and alongside one of the best riders in the world and a top reference for me," Saiz continued. "Thank you Dani for giving me this opportunity and trusting me to take on such a challenge. Now it's time to focus on keeping working. We can and we will fight to the max for the podium."
