Andreas Mikkelsen joins Hyundai

As we announce to you in issue 2130 of AUTOhebdo, Andreas Mikkelsen joined Hyundai Motorsport and will compete in Rally of Spain (October 5 to 8) replacing Hayden Paddon. The Korean manufacturer has also confirmed the presence of the Norwegian on the last two rounds of the season with Wales Rally GB (October 26 to 29) and Rally Australia (November 16 to 19).

Hyundai Motorsport clarified that this decision was taken with the aim of securing maximum points in the Manufacturers' Championship where it is 64 points behind M-Sport. The Asian brand specified that the three crews from the start of the season, and in particular Hayden Paddon, remained under contract and that the crews will evolve depending on the rounds. Dani Sordo could therefore give up his place, Thierry Neuville still in the race for the title with 17 points behind the Championship leader Sébastien Ogier (M-Sport).

“It’s a great team with very talented staff, comments Andreas Mikkelsen. The Hyundai i20 WRC proved she could win on every surface. I had the chance to test it on dirt earlier in the year. I had positive feelings and I am sure to find them again during the last three events of the season. »

“My goal is to do everything I can to help the team in the Constructors’ Championship. I strongly believe in them and in the car”, adds Andreas Mikkelsen who made three starts with Citroën Racing this year.

“This decision was not easy to make, but we felt it was necessary to reaffirm ourselves in the fight for the Championship, insists Michel Nandan, Team Principal of Hyundai Motorsport. We started discussions with Andreas since he found himself without a steering wheel (following Volkswagen's withdrawal), but we had nothing to offer him because our crews were finalized. »

“However, we decided to reassess the situation after losing ground, recognizes Michel Nandan. We had an open discussion with our three crews and informed them of this adjustment. We will confirm our crews for Wales Raly GB and Australia in due course. »

Hayden Paddon is only in 9th place in the Championship, 105 points behind his teammate Thierry Neuville. The New Zealander finds himself in danger for 2018.