Rally, Sportrik Media - Dani Sordo emerged as the leading driver for Hyundai Motorsport after day one of WRC Canary Islands 2026, as Toyota Gazoo Racing firmly controlled the top five positions in the overall classification.
Following a full day of competitive running on Friday, the competitive order became clearly defined. Toyota established a dominant presence at the front, while Hyundai struggled to match the pace on the demanding asphalt stages. Sordo, running a partial campaign, held sixth position overall but trailed rally leader Sébastien Ogier by 52 seconds.
The performance gap highlighted the technical challenges faced by Hyundai on high-grip asphalt surfaces, where precision, balance, and confidence in the Rally1 package are critical. Full-season Hyundai drivers Adrien Fourmaux and Thierry Neuville were limited to seventh and eighth positions respectively, underlining the deficit to their main rivals.
Despite the result, Sordo expressed satisfaction with his return to Rally1 machinery, emphasizing the enjoyment of being back behind the wheel after a period away from full-time competition.
“It was amazing – I really enjoyed it. It feels great to be back driving the car and being inside a Rally1 machine. It’s a good feeling,” Sordo stated.
He also described his current position as a realistic outcome given his limited schedule, suggesting that extracting more performance would be difficult under the current conditions.
“It’s not a bad performance for a retired driver,” he added.
The day was not without incident, as Sordo encountered a critical moment on the final stage. At high speed in fifth gear, the rear of the car stepped out under braking into a tightening left-hand corner, resulting in contact with a roadside barrier. He was able to recover and continue without terminal damage.
Looking ahead to Saturday’s six remaining stages, Sordo indicated that a major shift in competitive balance is unlikely. He acknowledged that he is currently operating at the limit of what is achievable in terms of pace and control.
This scenario places Hyundai on the defensive heading into the next leg of the rally, while Toyota remains in a strong position to consolidate its advantage. The outcome of the remaining stages will be decisive in determining whether Hyundai can recover ground or if Toyota will extend its dominance in Canary Islands 2026.
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