Hyundai has confirmed that Dani Sordo will miss next weekend’s Rally Finland after sustaining a fractured vertebra in a testing crash.
Sordo and co-driver Marc Marti were involved in a high speed accident during a test in preparation for next weekend’s event when the suspension failed.
A medical examination revealed Sordo had suffered a fissure fracture of a vertebra, with the Spaniard now recovering at his home. Marti escaped injury.
Test driver Kevin Abbring and co-driver Sebastian Marshall will take over the #20 new generation i20 in Finland.
Hyundai’s WRC team has completed a thorough analysis of the accident and identified the problem which caused the suspension arm to break.
The pair have already contested events in Portugal and Italy for the manufacturer this season.
Sordo is expected to return at Rally Germany next month (August 19-21).
“Dani is recovering well from his injury and is making good progress,” said Hyundai boss Michel Nandan.
“However, it is important that he recovers fully so we have made the mutual decision for him to miss Rally Finland.
“This will allow him to be at his best for Rallye Deutschland in mid-August.
“Kevin will take over the #20 car for this event and will join our rescheduled pre-event test next week alongside Thierry (Neuville) and Hayden (Paddon).
“After a detailed analysis of the car, we have identified the technical problem that led to Dani’s crash.
“The specific parts are under investigation and we have already taken steps to ensure there will be no repeat of the issue.”
Hyundai has rescheduled its pre-event Finland test for July 22-25.
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