Sordo reveals new co-driver

Dani Sordo has announced that Diego Vallejo will become his new driver from the next round of the World Rally Championship season in Germany after splitting with Marc Marti.

Sordo and Marti joined forces when Carlos Sainz retired from competition, with Marti having previously called the notes for the multiple WRC champion.

The pair took the JWRC title together in their first season in 2005 before moving up the WRC proper with Citroen and have since gone on to take 26 podium finishes.

However, this season has proved to be a difficult one for the Spanish pair and has seen Sordo replaced in the Citroen line-up for the remaining gravel events by rising star Sebastien Ogier. Sordo has yet to re-sign with Citroen for 2011, while both Ogier and Sebastien Loeb have already signed new contracts.

Speaking in a statement released on his personal website, Sordo revealed that he felt the need for a change, with an 'amicable agreement' having been reached with Marti for the pair to end their working relationship.

"I need a change in the car," he said. "Marc has been an excellent partner for all these years, he's someone I am grateful to and with whom I have learned a lot, but I finally concluded that the best thing is for us not to work together as a pilot and co-pilot.

"I know him [Vallejo] personally for a long time, so the human relationship is very good. Furthermore, we did a test for me to check his work and how it fitted with my needs. I am convinced will be a good co-pilot for me at this crucial juncture."