Andreas Mikkelsen: “I want to stay on the front line”

What happened in the offseason? Everyone was already announcing you at Hyundai and then… nothing?

I don't know if I should say too much (laughing). This was a very bad situation for me. The previous management of Hyundai promised me something which made me tell Skoda that I was leaving and suddenly they reversed their decision. For a period, I found myself with nothing. Instead of communicating, they stopped taking my calls or responding to my emails. I think the new management is better at communication, well at least I hope so…

Your return to Hyundai was therefore not a rumor. How was this supposed to manifest?

I had to do at least 6 races, but they were informed thatOtt Tänak could go away what could have turned into a whole year for me. When he announced his departure, I said to myself “ wow 13 rallies » and I tried to contact Hyundai. That’s when they stopped responding to me completely. For a week and a half, it was completely blank until I received an email telling me that they were going to call me. This phone call never came. I found this very bad. We are still in the world championship…

Were you surprised? Isn’t that the current way of working?

Probably yes. Things are moving quickly and there is nothing we can do about it.

Have you considered stopping everything and doing something else?

No, although I would have really liked to return to Rally1 this year. Sometimes bad times last longer than we want. I really hope I get another chance as I feel I have developed as a driver over the last few years. I had difficulties with the old i20, but I'm not the only one and I'm convinced that with the new one it would have gone well. I don't give up, I continue to believe in it and do what it takes to achieve it.

The teams explain that they did not take you because you did not have experience with hybrid. Shouldn’t you try doing a race or two on a Rally1 to fill that gap and become even more “interesting”?

I don't think you have a completely different driving style with the new cars. The example of Sébastien Loeb at Monte-Carlo 2022 showed that it’s not that complicated, even if Loeb is Loeb (laughing)! For me, I believe this would not be a problem.

Have you tried to finalize another solution with the Toyota who was for rent or at M-Sport ?

When I realized the situation I was in, I immediately called several people. At M-Sport it was clear that everything was being done for Tänak. On the Toyota side, the seats were allocated and I did not have the budget for this Yaris. Anyway, as long as I still had the option of racing a Skoda, that was the best way to go.

In the Azores, Andreas Mikkelsen drove the Fabia RS Rally2 in a race for the first time in 2023 (Photo: Skoda)

Exactly, how did this work out with Skoda?

I am lucky to have good relationships with them. They were happy that I had an opportunity to go to Rally1 and they understood the situation. We reached an agreement to continue this year. I am still an official Skoda driver and as part of this, I conduct tests and do development. Concerning races, we have not yet completely decided on a mode of operation.

How will your year be organized?

I don't know yet how many races I'm going to do in WRC2, because it also depends on the budget. It is clear that I will be at the start of several rallies, even if I am not sure of playing in the championship. 

So what is your goal in 2023?

I want to demonstrate that I have the level to be the fastest Rally2 driver so that if an opportunity arises I will be there. It seems to me that I don't have to aim for the title. If I take the example of what Esapekka Lappi did in 2021, you have to come and show that you are the first in this category. That had been enough and I hope it will keep me at the front of the line if an opening appears. In any case, what is important for Skoda is that the new car is a champion.

Have you set a time limit for achieving this goal?

I didn't set a deadline for myself. I think this will happen naturally, when young people go faster, but it is not yet yet. I tell myself that if a manufacturer invests, it will need an experienced driver. I remain convinced that if I were behind the wheel of a Rally1 this year for the entire season, I would be able to fight for the title. The day I no longer believe in it, I will have to do something else.

If this doesn't come to fruition, would you be willing to change majors? You briefly tasted the Dakar. Could this be a solution? What about the WRX?

You have to keep your eyes open, because there really aren't many seats available in WRC. As long as there is no new brand, this will remain restricted. I have to look at what is being done rally-raid, but also in Extreme E, although I heard that the cars are not very fun to drive. As for the WRX, I don't see a manufacturer coming forward at the moment.

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