Banbury's Mini World Rally Championship team finished the fifth and final day of the Monte Carlo Rally with second and seventh places.

It was only the team’s seventh FIA World Rally Championship event, but it was the third podium for the Spanish crew.

On the final stage of the event, the 5.16 kilometre Power Stage at Ste Agnès – Col de la Madone – Spaniards Dani Sordo and Carlos del Barrio Sordo set the fourth fastest time, while French crew Pierre Campana and Sabrina de Castelli were tenth quickest.

Team principal Dave Wilcock said: “This is my first event as team principal so to get a second in Monte Carlo with the Mini WRC Team is absolutely fantastic. Obviously we are all extremely pleased.

“We had all our fingers crossed wanting to get through the Power Stage with no problems.

“Dani was fourth quickest through it, which is fine, even though we were hoping for another drivers’ championship point, but what you want doesn’t always happen! We are extremely happy with the result as both Dani and Pierre have done very good jobs for the team. The whole team has worked so hard for this and it is well deserved.”

Dirk Hollweg, head of Mini Motorsport: said: “I am very happy that the brand has returned to this legendary event and scored a very impressive result with not just Dani on the podium, but also Pierre really doing a great job for such a relatively inexperienced driver.

“It was even more gratifying for us to see the results of the other members of the Mini Motorsport family, as the privateers also put in some impressive results.

“The fans are always really enthusiastic here and make a special atmosphere on the entire rally. They really welcomed us back to our old hunting ground, and we were proud to give them this result.”