(Via MINI Motorsports) Special Stage 1: Not only Dani and Kris finished the first stage strong. Also private MINI WRC driver Matti Rantanen showed how much homecourt advantage matters on the demanding stages of Rally Finland. The Finnish driver finished sixth overall. Three more MINI WRC cars with Armindo Araujo, Mattias Therman and Daniel Oliveira at the wheel also made it safely through the opening “Lankaama” stage.

Shakedown: At Rally Finland the MINI WRC Team went off to a good start. During the shakedown Dani Sordo and Kris Meeke were able to get a feel for their MINI John Cooper Works WRC cars. On early Thursday morning the MINI WRC Team had to get ready for the official shakedown. With the co-drivers Carlos del Barrio and Paul Nagle Dani and Kris did an excellent job and are looking forward to the first three special stages of this rally.