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Prodrive accepts Dani Sordo's decision to leave for Citroen

Prodrive's inability to guarantee a full-time World Rally Championship programme for 2013 prompted Dani Sordo's decision to rejoin Citroen, according to Prodrive boss Dave Wilcock

Sordo's return to Citroen following two seasons in Prodrive's Mini John Cooper Works WRC was confirmed on Thursday morning.

While Wilcock said he was sad to see Sordo leave, he understood the reasons.

"Dani is one of the top drivers in the WRC and after his stunning performance in Spain last weekend, I am not at all surprised that Citroen have snapped him up," said Wilcock.

"It's been a pleasure working with him over the last two years and his experience has been invaluable to the development of the Mini WRC.

"Just as importantly, behind the scenes he got on very well with everyone in the team and whenever we were running two cars he was a great team-mate and not a rival."

Sordo joined Prodrive at the start of its factory programme with Mini, but the team lost its works backing prior to 2012 and was only able to run a partial season in 2012.

Wilcock paid tribute to how Sordo had handled the changing situation.

"Although we have faced many challenges, Dani always remained positive and loyal to the team and I am only sad that we could not have given him his first win," said Wilcock.

"I know that he wanted to secure his first WRC victory in the Mini and had we been able to confirm a full programme for him in 2013, I am sure he would have stayed with the team."

Despite being without a frontline driver on its books for next season, Wilcock said Prodrive's focus remained on cementing a 13-round WRC effort for 2013.

"Now we have to move on, confirm our programme and driver line-up for next year and continue with our development programme in order to achieve our goal of securing a maiden Mini win in the WRC."

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