WRC Team MINI 2012 - Future Resolved ?
Prodrive's Dani Sordo-led team will continue in the World Rally Championship despite the loss of its factory relationship with MINI, although full details of how the new agreement will work are still being agreed, but it remains possible that the Prodrive-run Mini World Rally Championship Team could still score manufacturer points, courtesy of its existing agreement with the FIA. After Sordo and co-driver Carlos del Barrio finished an emphatic second on the return of the MINI to the legendary Monte Carlo Rally, the direction has now been agreed for a long-term MINI presence in the FIA World Rally Championship
It has been announced that the Federation Internationale Automobile (FIA) has accepted a two-car manufacturer entry by WRC Team MINI Portugal into the 2012 FIA World Rally Championship for Manufacturers. As a result MINI will complete the homologation for the MINI John Cooper Works WRC. The WRC Team MINI Portugal - consisting of the Portuguese crew Armindo Arauacutejo and his co-driver Miguel Ramalho, as well as Brazilians Paulo Nobre and co-driver Edu Paula, will contest the remaining 12 events in the 2012 FIA WRC.
This long-term homologation ensures that the MINI John Cooper Works WRC can be used in the premier league of rallying, and other series in accordance with FIA regulations, up to and including 2018. The cooperation with Prodrive will be put on a new basis. Prodrive remains responsible for the construction and support of MINI John Cooper Works WRC customer vehicles, and will continue to work with the BMW Group on the further development of the car. The WRC Team, run by Prodrive, will from now on start as a works-supported private team.
Dr. Kay Segler, Senior Vice President of MINI Business Coordination and Brand Management said "I am delighted that the future of MINI in the WRC has been secured on a long-term basis. We remain convinced that the sport of rallying is perfectly suited to our brand. The situation we now find ourselves in means the MINI Motorsport family can, and will, continue to grow on the rally scene. With three podiums from just seven starts in the world championship, the MINI John Cooper Works WRC has already emphatically proven its potential. I am confident that our customer teams around the world will continue to thrill MINI fans with this car over the coming years. The FIA was just as interested in the long-term presence of the MINI brand in the WRC as we were, and was actively involved in finding a constructive solution. We are grateful for the good cooperation and the understanding the FIA has shown us."
Segler added, "With its great enthusiasm and hard work, the Prodrive team has played a major role in the remarkable sporting success we have achieved on our initial outings with the MINI John Cooper Works WRC. On behalf of MINI Motorsport, I would like to thank everyone at Prodrive for their efforts so far and we look forward to working with them in support of our MINI John Cooper Works WRC customers in the future."
7th February, 2012