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Dani Sordo targets maiden WRC win in Rally Catalunya

Mini driver Dani Sordo says he starts his home round of the World Rally Championship chasing a first ever victory for himself and the John Cooper Works WRC

Sordo and Mini have stunned the WRC service park with back-to-back podium finishes on the last two rounds of the championship. But, after a third in Germany and a second in France, Sordo says he wants a first in Salou on Sunday.

"Of course we can win," he said. "I have a good position for the first day and a good feeling with the car. In France we were quite good and so close to trying to win. I need to start rally and try to be at the finish but at the same time try to put pressure on the others."

Sordo admitted his recent success had added pressure to his entry on this week's mixed-surface event.

"There is a bit more pressure," he said. "At the beginning of the year we were told to drive the car and test for next year. After the podium in Germany we felt we need to try to do a job in France.

"In France we were really close to win and now everybody is thinking three-two-one, but it is not easy like that and with [Sebastien] Loeb out in France it was a little more easy. We will see."

Sordo added that he wasn't a big fan of the Catalunya Rally's recent switch to a mixed-surface format - especially as he hasn't driven the Mini in anger on gravel since Finland in August. He and team-mate Kris Meeke tested the car for half a day on gravel and half a day on asphalt ahead of this week's Salou-based event.

He said: "For me this format is not a good idea. I like more before. But it's a nice rally for the spectators and the drivers because we have more gravel. But the Tarmac is very nice here, I like a lot but we need to do this. We are professional rally drivers so we have to fight in all surfaces."

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