Spaniard Dani Sordo has signed a fresh two-year deal to drive alongside Hyundai Shell World Rally Team spearhead Thierry Neuville in the WRC.

Sordo has performed solidly as part of a rotational second i20 in the Korean marque’s WRC return after a 10-year absence this season and will remain with the team for 2015 and 2016.

As with Hyundai’s unique approach, Sordo will do the bulk of the WRC rounds in 2015 although a firmer indication of the 31-year-old doing more than 10 rounds has not been initially offered.

With Australia’s Chris Atkinson seemingly out of the picture, Sordo appears to be the preferred avenue for Hyundai after it tried a range of drivers who also included Juho Hanninen and Bryan Bouffier in the #8 i20 WRC.

Sordo strengthened his stocks within the German-based team cementing a second behind team-mate Neuville in the German rally prior to Rally Australia.

“I am delighted to be continuing my partnership with Hyundai Motorsport following a very successful debut season working together,” Sordo said.

“We have shown great promise with the Hyundai i20 WRC this year and we will never forget the 1-2 result at Rallye Deutschland, which was a truly special moment.

Team Principal Michel Nandan has been impressed with Sordo’s ability to handle the different conditions of the WRC.

“Dani has demonstrated impressive consistency this season on different types of terrain,” Nandan said.