According to an article published by British motorsport magazine Autosport, German car manufacturer BMW is about to terminate Prodrive's contract to run the MINI WRC programme.
Launched last year, the MINI John Cooper Works WRC was being developed by Prodrive, in close cooperation with MINI, and was based on the production model.
Sources have told Autosport that the BMW Group has confirmed the end is imminent for what has been described as a short and unhappy partnership.
Almost since the project was launched in April 2011, there has been a malaise between BMW and Prodrive concerning the financing of the programme, to the extent that MINI World Rally Team had to forget plans to run two works drivers this season, leaving Kris Meeke out in the cold.
The lone MINI, driven by Spaniard Dani Sordo, finished second at the Rallye Monte Carlo last month, opening round of the 2012 World Rally Championship.
Autosport adds that there is speculation that BMW is ready to hand the project over to an Italian preparation firm or quit the whole programme altogether.
Launched last year, the MINI John Cooper Works WRC was being developed by Prodrive, in close cooperation with MINI, and was based on the production model.
Sources have told Autosport that the BMW Group has confirmed the end is imminent for what has been described as a short and unhappy partnership.
Almost since the project was launched in April 2011, there has been a malaise between BMW and Prodrive concerning the financing of the programme, to the extent that MINI World Rally Team had to forget plans to run two works drivers this season, leaving Kris Meeke out in the cold.
The lone MINI, driven by Spaniard Dani Sordo, finished second at the Rallye Monte Carlo last month, opening round of the 2012 World Rally Championship.
Autosport adds that there is speculation that BMW is ready to hand the project over to an Italian preparation firm or quit the whole programme altogether.