Your opinion about Dani Sordo

[jens]

This is the thread about the guy, who showed a lot of promise already during his first WRC season in 2006, got a bit less attention in 2007 and now is into his 3rd full WRC season. Time to deliver? On tarmac he has shown that at times he can even match Loeb. He hasn't been that great on gravel, but has been improving gradually, achieving several podiums at the end of last year on that surface and showed good pace in Sweden this year - rally, where he was expected to struggle. But instead of 'struggle' he could have been the best non-Ford without that 5-minute time penalty.

As the majority of the WRC calendar consists of gravel events, then the decisive rallies are about to come, where he should show further improving. Maybe Sordo has been a bit overlooked - after all he has the strongest possible team-mate, who makes him to look not that great. For example Hirvonen and Latvala get more attention, but as Loeb is not their team-mate, he is also not their direct benchmark.

What do you think about that Spaniard? Will he ever become a title contender?

[Tomski]

Until he can beat Loeb on tarmac he'll never be champ. I can't understand why Citroen have two tarmac drivers in the team. I appreciate Loeb can now win on any surface, but his strength in tarmac, why have another specialist in the team? If they want to win the manufacturers title as well as the drivers they need a gravel driver as well.

[Tomi]

I dont think he ever will be a serious title contender, the learning curve is too slow, will be interesting to see now in mexico how he does, he has good start position there.

[bluuford]

I think that he is future world rally champion (I am not kidding). And I think that he is faster than Loeb on some tarmac events. But he is not allowed to win on tarmac until Loeb is in front. And like Aava said, C4 is built for tarmac driving and they are both (he and Sordo) struggling a bit to get the grips with the car on the other surfaces. I think that we are going to see some surprises in Mexico.. Loeb not on the top for instance :-)

[A.F.F.]

I think Aava's C4 is a bit different than official C4s.

What comes to Sordo, he basicly has improved on gravel but maybe slower than expected ? Or at least, I expected. World champion ?? Well, why not, anything is possible in rallying but when the Loeb-era ends, he has Hirvonen and Latvala and maybe others too to battle with. That means he should master gravel the way he masters tarmac. And I'm not sure if he'll run out of time

[MrJan]

I first instinct is that he just isn't quick enough and only does as well as he does because of the car. However I used to think that Mikko would never amount to much but look how he has come on.

Jury's out at the minute but I'd be tempted to put a more experience driver in the factory seat and keep Sordo in a Xsara.

[DonJippo]

What comes to Sordo, he basicly has improved on gravel but maybe slower than expected ? Or at least, I expected. World champion ??

Same here was expecting him to improve faster on gravel than what he has shown so far.

[N]

Citroen want a Spanish and a French driver for marketing purposes. Secondly, Dani is a good driver, he is still young, but I think he'll show some speed this year.

[alleskids]

I think Sordo is feeling unsecure when driving on 90 %., and he have to make sure he is scoring team points. Sordo isordered to drive steady, in Loebs shadow, not passing him. When Citroen will unlease him, and he can drive 100 % he will win rallies, just like Horvonen does now, and he will show why Citroen was choicing him after his Junior wins and why he had te label of future world champion. Sordo is not good in driving carefully, it is not doing his driving style any good.

[Tomi]

I think Sordo is feeling unsecure when driving on 90 %., and he have to make sure he is scoring team points. Sordo isordered to drive steady, in Loebs shadow, not passing him. When Citroen will unlease him, and he can drive 100 % he will win rallies, just like Horvonen does now, and he will show why Citroen was choicing him after his Junior wins and why he had te label of future world champion. Sordo is not good in driving carefully, it is not doing his driving style any good.

Every second driver in the other teams has the same orders to get points aswell, i dont think that Sordo is supposed to let them pass as well.
I think he is in many ways like Panizzi, good on tarmac but on gravel average.